A 65-YEAR-OLD man failed to reveal he had savings of £142,000 when he claimed pension credits.

Blackburn magistrates heard John Hacking received more than £12,000 he wasn't entitled to over a three year period.

MORE TOP STORIES:

But the court heard £120,000 had subsequently been paid as a ‘divorce’ settlement and the money had been repaid to the Department of Work and Pensions.

Hacking, of Spring Vale Farm, Green Haworth, Accrington, pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain benefit.

He was made subject to community supervision for 12 months, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and pay £145 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the claim had been fraudulent from the outset and had continued over a considerable period of time.

Imran Hussain, defending, said his client had been in a relationship for 30 years which broke down in 2007.

It had been bitter and acrimonious and while it was clear there would be a settlement, it had taken two years to three years for that to be resolved.

“When he made the claim he was aware he had savings in excess of the amount allowed but he was also aware that at some stage the bulk of that would be paid to his former partner,” said Mr Hussain.

"That eventually happened and he was left with just £20,000."