A man who falsely claimed benefits from Hertsmere Borough Council avoided a prison term last week, because he was able to pay back the money he obtained.

Phillip Kole-Emmanuel, 44, from Romford Road, Forest Gate, London, used false names and national insurance numbers, to claim benefits from Hertsmere Borough Council and the London Borough of Brent over a number of years.

He was caught out when Hertsmere Borough Council became suspicious and began investigating his claims.

Sentencing Mr Kole-Emmanuel to a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years, Judge John Plumstead said: "The one thing I can't abide and the public can't abide is people who fiddle and cheat benefits.

"The best mitigation for someone who has stolen money is for them to give it back. If you had not been able to pay back the money you took, you would be going to jail today."

Mr Kole-Emmanuel pleaded guilty to claiming housing and council tax benefits to which he was not entitled from Elmroyd Avenue in Potters Bar and Belmont Avenue in Wembley.

On February 2, Mr Kole-Emmanuel repaid £1,022 of the fraudulent benefit he had gained, and a further £17,500 was repaid last Thursday, the day of his sentencing.

Mr Kole-Emmanuel was also told that if he wishes to apply for any kind of benefit in future he must first consult his solicitor.

A spokeswoman for Hertsmere Borough Council said that financial investigators were still pursuing Mr Kole-Emmanuel with a view to confiscating gains made by him from his criminal activity.