A SALISBURY man has been spared a prison term after falsely claiming benefits while he had two jobs.

Paul Cook, 47, of Barnard Street, was picked up on a police warrant on January 17 after he failed to attend court on December 6.

He admitted four charges relating to undeclared work while he was claiming Jobseekers Allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit when he appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court on January 17.

He was caught following a joint investigation by Wiltshire Council and the Department for Work and Pensions which revealed he had two jobs he had failed to declare, resulting in a loss to public funds of £3,626.

He was given a three-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge. He will also have to repay the benefit he received.