A MAN compounded his mistake of turning to cocaine to ease the pain of a fibroid condition by illegally claiming more than £8,000 in benefits to help fund the subsequent addiction, a court was told.

Phil Barlow (44) had got himself stuck in a 'Catch 22' situation, his solicitor told Rochdale magistrates.

Barlow, of Garnett Street, Ramsbottom, admitted offences of obtaining various benefits by deception on the grounds he was not working when in fact, for several periods, he was a carpet fitter.

Mr Vincent Carr, on behalf of the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP), told the bench that the total overpaid in benefits due to Barlow's false representations was £8,370.

A man of no previous convictions, the defendant readily admitted his guilt when questioned. The money Barlow defrauded is being recouped through internal measures by the DWP, the court heard.

Defending, Mr Don Owen said Barlow suffered a form of fibroid-myalgia for which there was no treatment and which left him in a lot of pain.

"An individual gave him advice which he should not have listened to, and that was that cocaine would alleviate the pain. Of course, initially he felt some benefits but before too long he became addicted. In the long term it was no use to him."

Mr Owen said the defendant felt he was in a Catch 22 situation trying to support his wife and family but also trying to fund a drug habit, and decided to take offers of employment. Ultimately, the habit took its toll and Barlow lost his wife and family, and his employment, and was now a lonely man.

Mr Owen said there was a light at the end of the tunnel because Barlow had voluntarily contacted the community drugs team in Bury and had reduced his use of drugs significantly.

The bench felt, because of his physical condition and the fact he had taken steps to work with the drugs team, they did not need to impose a community order, and he was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay £100 costs.