An electrician who admitted fraud has been given a suspended prison sentence and a curfew enforced by an electronic tag.

Third-time bankrupt Stephen Palmer, 51, from Upper Street, Leeds, tried to cheat his creditors out of around £30,000 in March 2004.

He was prosecuted by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform under the Insolvency Act 1986.

Passing sentence at Southwark Crown Court, Judge James Wadsworth QC said that Palmer had committed a deliberate fraud. The judge said Palmer had escaped a substantial prison sentence only through his willingness to repay the money he stole.

The government’s business minister, Pat McFadden, said: "We are determined to crack down on cheats like these who profit by deception.

“When someone acts in this way they are effectively stealing from honest creditors, who are owed money and can suffer as a result.

“This prosecution sends a clear message to would-be fraudsters that they won’t get away with it.”

Judge Wadsworth sentenced Palmer to a 51-week jail term, suspended for two years. A curfew order for six months between the hours of 8pm and 5am enforced by an electronic tag. A compensation order for the full amount of £30,000, which Palmer must repay at £1,000 a month. He must also carry out 200 hours community service.