A man accused of dishonestly making a false statement to obtain housing benefits has appeared in court this week.

Seventy-one-year-old Lewis Parkinson of Munro Court, Pembroke Dock appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to the charge.

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Mr. Parkinson received an overpayment of £11,980.24 between October 2013 and April of last year.

“It seems he received more than he was entitled to after making the claim, due to the amount of savings he had,” she explained.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court that Mr. Parkinson had already paid the full amount back as soon as he realised that he had received an overpayment.

“He is not a well man after suffering a stroke, and simply not well enough to carry out unpaid work in the community,” he said.

Magistrates issue Mr. Parkinson with a conditional discharge and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £100 and a £20 victim surcharge.