A benefit cheat who made fraudulent claims totalling more than £110,000 while in a well-paid job as an engineering manager has been sent to prison.

David Rothwell drew housing benefit, council tax, pension credit and Job Seeker's Allowance he was not entitled to over 10 years to fund drinking and gambling.

Imposing a 12-month sentence on the 67-year-old, a judge told him: "It is quite clear this is a protracted campaign of stealing from your fellow citizens and you must go to prison."

Maidstone Crown Court heard the benefit claims by Rothwell, of Station Road, Borough Green, were not fraudulent from the outset. He had signed on legitimately in 2003 after losing his job at an engineering firm.

But he continued to cheat the revenue from 2004 to 2007 when he had a top job at public research university Imperial College in London and from 2009 to 2016 while an engineering compliance manager for John Laing Integrated Services.

"It is quite clear this is a protracted campaign of stealing from your fellow citizens and you must go to prison" - Judge Charles Macdonald QC

He claimed £58,327 in housing benefit and £6,290 in council tax from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, £33,139 in pension credit and £11,395 in Job Seeker's Allowance.

Guy Draper, defending, said Rothwell, who admitted seven charges of benefit fraud, decided not to declare his employment at Imperial College because he understood it would only be for six months.

"Unfortunately, he buried his head in the sand and didn't declare his employment," he said. "It has landed him in a lot more trouble.

"He found himself in increasing levels of stress that was detrimental to his health. He was drinking heavily. There was stress from knowing there would be a knock on the door from the authorities.

"There was gambling and alcohol abuse. It was a vicious circle. Over the last 10 years he has suffered significantly because of his dishonest behaviour.

"He is ashamed to be in this situation. He fully understands the impact on society. That makes him even more ashamed."

Submitting a suspended sentence could be imposed, Mr Draper said the probation service were prepared to work with Rothwell to address his behaviour.

He had repaid £1,140, he said, but further payments would be difficult as he had lost his job at John Laing because of the offending.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC told Rothwell: "Over a significant period you cheated the State of benefits. It was not fraudulent from the outset, but it was very protracted.

"The purpose was to fund your gambling and drinking. In mitigation, there is remorse and you are in ill-health."