A BENEFIT fraudster who failed to notify Uttlesford District Council of a change in his personal circumstances has been left to pay a heavy penalty.

Kamil Karwowski, of Crabtrees, Saffron Walden, who was receiving housing and Council Tax benefit, omitted to tell the council when his partner landed a job in October 2011.

Magistrates in Chelmsford heard that as a result Karwowski, 29, was wrongly paid £5,655.31p between October 24 2011, and February 6 this year.

JPs were told the matter came to light when he was asked to provide documents in support of his claims during routine checks and inadvertently handed over his partner’s payslips.

Karwowski admitted failing to notify the council of a change in his circumstances.

In addition to having to repay, in full, the sum he wrongly received he was also made the subject of a 12-month Community Supervision Order.

The 29-year-old was also ordered by the court to wear an electronic tag and observe a curfew between 7pm and 6am for three months.

Karwowski was additionally ordered to pay the £707.12p legal costs of the hearing and a £60 victim surcharge. Councillor Robert Chambers, the district council’s cabinet member for finance and administration, said: “We are committed to paying benefits to those residents who are entitled to them.

“However, we have a responsibility to protect public finances and we will not hesitate to prosecute any individual who commits benefit fraud.”