A MAN who had three separate jobs while claiming benefits totalling £37,000 escaped a jail sentence.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Gary Leece had claimed incapacity benefit, income support and housing benefits at different times over a four year period.

But after hearing he was a man of good character, and that he was paying back the money to the DSS, Recorder Liam Grundy decided against jailing him.

He told Leece that he was an extremely lucky man and could have been jailed for the premeditated and sustained offences.

Leece, aged 35, of Oban Grove, Astley Bridge, was appearing in court for sentence. He admitted false accounting, five sample charges of obtaining property by deception and asked for 252 similar offences be taken into consideration.

He was sentenced to a two year community rehabilitation order and a 100-hour community punishment order.

Prosecutor David Friesner said Leece claimed benefits when he worked as a cleaner -- and during the period of the claims he was employed by three companies.

The breakdown of the benefits fiddle was £27,860 in incapacity benefits, £13,153 in income support, housing benefits of £273 and £76.84 for council tax. It added up to £41,333. Subtracting £4,000 of benefits he was entitled to during the period, left a total of £37,000 in overpayment.

When he was interviewed by DSS investigators, Leece admitted his guilt and said that he had financial worries, but did not appreciate how big the sums involved were.

He had used his partner's surname, different addresses, a false date of birth and fake National Insurance numbers when he worked.

Since December of last year, the court was told, Leece had repaid £500 of the outstanding debt.

The court heard how Leece had always worked since leaving school, but lost his job as a well-paid double glazier when he had time off through back and leg pains.