A benefit fraudster has been ordered to pay back more than £20,000 of ill-gotten cash.

Andrew Sullivan was handed a suspended 21-month jail term at the city's crown court earlier this year.

A judge branded the 36-year-old a "thief" after hearing how he continued to claim benefits despite receiving a £30,000 will bequeathment which he didn't declare.

Sullivan admitted one charge of dishonestly failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances. He had also pleaded guilty to two counts of making a dishonest representation for obtaining benefit.

Sullivan had initially made legitimate claims for employment and support allowance, along with housing and council tax benefit.

But he later failed to disclose the will bequeathment. Had he done so, he would not have been eligible for the benefits, it was stated.

The court heard his total overpayment amounted to £36,959.06.

When interviewed, Sullivan, of Ellesmere Way, Morton, Carlisle, said the money had been "put to one side" for another member of his family.

Efforts got under way to recoup the cheated cash.

And at the crown court, a judge ordered Sullivan to pay back a large sum.

Recorder Philip Curran heard the defendant's total "benefit" figure from his criminal conduct was £36,094.46.

Enquiries revealed he had "realisable assets" of £20,532.86. This included the sum of £11,682.86 in one bank account.

Kim Whittlestone, prosecuting, said: "We have the sum of realisable assets; £15,032.79 is to be paid as compensation to (victim) Carlisle City Council."

Paul Tweddle, for Sullivan, said his client had "little option but to accept the figures which have been put forward".

Recorder Curran ordered Sullivan to officially surrender the money within six months - or face 12 months' imprisonment in default.