MICHAEL Washington claimed sickness benefit while working as an agency care assistant.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Washington, who sometimes earned more than £1,000 a month, described his benefits as a 'safety net.'

Washington, 46, of Whalley New Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to three charges of obtaining benefits by deception and asked for 21 to be taken into consideration. He was fined a total of £450 and ordered to pay £75 costs.

Alison Gray, prosecuting, said that in the six-month period there had been an overpayment of £971 while Washington was working for the A1 Nursing and Home Care Agency.

Jonathan Jackson, defending, said that throughout the period of the claim, Washington had been suffering from a blockage of an artery in his leg. He went in to hospital for an operation and immediately after returned his benefit book.

"He never knew whether his job would continue and he kept on claiming the benefits as a safety net," said Mr Jackson.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.