Benefit cheat claimed £31,000

A benefit cheat who defrauded more than £31,000 has been jailed for 30 months.

Mohamed Cali, of Stonehill Court, Northampton, claimed housing benefit and Job Seekers' Allowance despite being in paid employment.

The judge at Northampton Crown Court said Cali's fraudlent claims were a wholesale attack on the welfare system.

The jury heard how the 24-year-old also took on a false identity in Croydon and fraudently claimed benefits there at the same time.