A BLACKWOOD man who lied to authorities and received nearly £46,000 in various benefits has been jailed.

Melvyn Davies, 58, started claiming job seekers’ allowance from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in September 2007 and racked up other benefits including housing benefit from October 2007 until June 2014.

He also gave false information to claim council tax benefit from October 2007 until April 2013.

The DWP opened an investigation into Davies' claims when they received an anonymous letter claiming he was living with his wife, they shared a relationship and that she was working.

Davies, of Pencoed Avenue, initially denied the deceit but pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation and two of dishonestly failing to disclose information to make a gain for himself at Gwent Magistrates’ Court in Cwmbran on July 16.

Prosecuting at Newport Crown Court, Claire Wilks said Davies had claimed a total of £45,965.89.

She recognised he had started paying a contribution back since July.

So far £735.41 has been returned.

Lowri Wynn Morgan, defending, said Davies is unwell and suffers from several conditions including chronic pulmonary disease.

And sentencing him to 16 weeks in jail, Recorder David Miller told Davies that he “had to go to prison” for his crimes but that he had taken his ill health into account in passing his sentence.

He said Davies had passed the threshold for up to 18 months imprisonment by fraudulently claiming over £30,000 – but that it would have been “inhumane and wrong” to have passed such a hefty sentence on him.

But he said at a “time of unprecedented austerity in the country people who need that money” were denied it as a result of Davies’ dishonesty.

No order for costs was imposed for Davies but he will need to pay an £80 court charge.