An annonymous tip-off to a fraud hotline led to the appearance of a 48-year-old man in court.

Christopher Shrubsall admitted claiming a total of £7,609.04 in benefits to which he was not entitled when he appeared before Sittingbourne magistrates.Shrubsall was living in Eastwood Road, Sittingbourne, at the time of the offence.

The court heard how Shrubsall, now of Shakespeare Road, Sittingbourne, dishonestly failed to promptly notify Swale council of a change in circumstances and continued to claim housing benefit and council tax benefit although he and his partner were working.

From March 10, 2008, to April 19, 2009, Shrubsall defrauded the council of £6.623.54 in housing benefit and £985.50 in council tax benefit.

The fraud came to light on May 22 last year when anonymous information was left on Swale council's fraud hotline.Shrubsall was ordered to carry out 60 hours' unpaid work and to pay £200 costs to Swale council when he appeared for sentencing on March 29.

Swale council investigation officer Filmer Wellard said: "This case shows that if you report it we will act. The anonymous information left on the council's hotline has led to a successful conviction and the result is that we have stopped a fraudulent claim."

To report benefit fraud, call the council's fraud hotline, in confidence, on 01795 417714, go to the council's website www.swale.gov.uk or write to Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3HT.