A Pembroke Dock pensioner has appeared in court after being overpaid nearly £12,000 in housing benefit.

Lewis Parkinson, of Munro Court, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, January 15.

The 71 year-old pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a housing benefit claim in October 2013, by making a false representation to the local authority about the full account of his capital.

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said Parkinson was overpaid £11,980.24 in benefits between 2013 and April, 2018, as he had more than the permitted amount of savings.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said Parkinson, who was previously of clean character, had already repaid the amount he had been overpaid.

He added: “Mr Parkinson is not a well man. He has had a stroke.

“He accepts that there was an overpayment

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered Parkinson to pay £120 in costs and a surcharge.

The chairman of the bench said: “We are pleased that the money is being repaid.”