A JUDGE told a benefits cheat who falsely claimed more than £15,500 that his criminal behaviour was "a disgrace".

Despite having tens of thousands of pounds stashed in a bank account, Gerard Mayne, 62, pressed on with claims for council tax relief and employment support allowance.

This led to a total overpayment of £15,593.08

But Mayne's dishonesty eventually landed him in trouble.

And at Carlisle Crown Court, he was jailed having admitted two counts of dishonestly making false representations, in 2009 and 2010.

Judge Peter Hughes QC imposed an eight-month prison term after being told that at one stage Mayne had almost £90,000 to his name which he failed to declare.

But having heard Mayne, of Kirkby Street, Maryport, was a man of previous good character, he agreed to suspend the sentence for two years.

Mayne, who was said to have paid back all of the ill-gotten cash, must also pay £1,000 court costs.

The court heard Mayne had stated he only had a modest amount of cash in the bank. This was said to include around £2,500 in premium bonds.

However, the reality was that his premium bonds and capital as a whole were worth a great deal more.

Mayne, represented in court by defence lawyer Marion Weir, was said to have previously worked as a maintenance fitter. However, health problems led to a reduction in his duties and a cut to his pay.

It was while wage issues were being resolved that he started to claim benefits.

He understood he should have declared his capital, and was said to be "extremely fearful about the prospect of custody".

Miss Weir produced a number of character references in support of Mayne, who was said to help out at his local rugby club.

But Judge Hughes told him: "Every time you collected your benefit cheque it ought to have been in the back of your mind, 'I know I am not entitled to this; there are far more deserving cases than mine'.

"You had the capital resources not to need a penny of public money.

"It really is quite disgraceful that you chose to remain quiet about it and continue to take public funds in benefits."