A FORMER mayor who has admitted a £13,000 benefit fraud has been warned that he could be sent to prison.

John McGowan, 54, of Ribble Way, Low Moor, Clitheroe, was caught playing golf, shopping and even doing a paper round while claiming a high level of disability allowance, a court had earlier been told.

McGowan yesterday pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to failing to promptly notify a change of circumstances that affected his entitlement to the allowance.

He is a Clitheroe town councillor and a former Ribble Valley councillor, representing the Edisford and Low Moor ward. He was the Mayor of Clitheroe for two years from 1997.

Teresa Loftus, prosecuting, said he was overpaid by £13,114 during a two and a half year period between April 2004 and September 2006.

The prosecution alleges that during that time he was seen playing golf Stonyhurst Golf Club, shopping in a supermarket and even doing a paper round.

He appeared at court yesterday walking with the aid of a stick.

McGowan was granted bail pending background reports and will be sentenced next month.

Judge Edward Slinger told him all sentencing options remained open including the possibility of an immediate custodial sentence.

McGowan has more than 16 years local government experience but lost his seat in the May local elections.

He defected to Labour from the Liberal Democrats in 1999 after a row that saw him disposed from his role as deputy town mayor in Clitheroe.

On Ribble Valley Council McGowan was on the housing committee, had a responsibility for the overview and scrutiny of council services and sat on the parish council liaison board.