A CARLISLE man has been accused of dishonestly claiming just over £32,000 in benefits.

At the city's Rickergate court, Stuart Michael Watson, 44, declined to enter a plea to the fraud allegation, which prosecutors say involved Housing Benefit and was carried out between November 2014 and October 2022.

The total value of money which was allegedly claimed illegally was said to be £32,175, the court heard.

The charge states that the defendant, of Currock Road, Currock, Carlisle, is accused of failing to promptly notify the local authority, identified as Cumberland Council, of a change in circumstance which would affect his entitlement to Housing Benefit.

The relevant change involved, according to the prosecution, was that the defendant had started a paid job.

The defendant exercised his right to have the case dealt with by Carlisle Crown Court and District Judge John Temperley sent the case there for an initial hearing on May 20.

Until that day, Watson, who was represented by defence lawyer John Smith, was granted bail until the day of that hearing.