AN Algerian asked for political asylum then cheated the benefits system out of nearly £25,000 in two and a half years, a court heard.
Abdelfetaii Boudissa, 27, drew income support in his own name and for his wife and two children but created four false identities supported by French identification papers.
From November1993, until June this year he claimed the cash from Bolton and other benefit offices in Manchester, Wigan and Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
Boudissa, of Moss Side, Manchester, was jailed for four months at the city's Crown Court today and ordered to repay £10,000 to the DSS.
Judge Michael Blackburn said the sentence reflected Boudissa's good character and frankness with investigators and the court.
"I know you have a sick child and that this conviction may prejudice your application for asylum, but there has to be a prison sentence," he said.
Teresa Loftus, prosecuting, said Boudissa arrived in London in 1992 seeking asylum.
After a tip off, investigators saw and photographed him making false claims in fictitious names at each centre.
Boudissa admitted six specimen charges of obtaining benefits by deception and had 259 similar matters taken into consideration. The total fraudulently obtained was £24,615.
Boudissa's plea for asylum was rejected in September and an appeal was pending.
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