A WORCESTERSHIRE man has pleaded guilty to cheating the taxpayer of almost £70,000 with false benefit claims and will be sentenced on November 26.

Ricky Parker-Smythe, aged 68, of Bridley Moor Road, Redditch, appeared in a wheelchair at Worcester Crown Court.

Prosecutor Gerald Bermingham alleged that he cheated the public purse out of £65,039.34 in income support and pension credit while also claiming £3,596.63 in housing and council tax benefit in September 2009.

In both cases, it was alleged, he failed to declare he was living with a partner.

He is also accused of continuing to claim pension credit between April 2007 and September 2011 despite having savings more than the limit imposed by the Department of Work and Pensions.

He was granted bail.