A SCAMMER lied about being single so he could commit benefit fraud.

Michael Booth, aged 52, of Lomond Drive, Bury, was entitled to employment support allowance and housing benefit on the basis that he was single and renting a room from a private landlord.

But Bury Council investigators discovered that the property’s landlord was Booth’s partner and they were living together. They subsequently got married.

Booth appeared before Bury magistrates on May 20 and admitted making three false statements in late 2012 and early 2013.

In total, he had unlawfully claimed £2,290.

He was ordered to do 140 hours unpaid work, pay £454.60 court costs and repay the £2,290.