A COUPLE will have to give back £18,324 they receive through fraudulent benefit payments.

Lee and Tracey Monk, of Springfield Park Lane, Springfield, pleaded guilty to failing to declare correct information.

Mr Monks admitted to not declaring he was working whilst in receipt of Job Seeker’s allowance, Housing and Council Tax benefit, while his wife failed to detail she was working whilst in receipt of Housing and Council Tax benefit.

At a hearing in Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, Mr Monk was handed a 12 month community order with  200 hours unpaid work included. 

Mrs Monk was sentenced to a 12 month community order with 80 hours unpaid work.

The sums of money, £13,696.22 from the Department for Work and Pensions and £4,628.03 from Chelmsford Council, were also ordered to be repaid.