A WEST Kingsdown man who collected £900 illegally in council tax and housing benefits has escaped punishment.

Gary Webb, 36, of Southfields, was handed a conditional discharge after he failed to tell Sevenoaks District Council his partner Caroline had landed a job.

Her employment meant the couple should have reduced the amount of benefit they were receiving.

At Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on Wednesday last week, Webb pleaded guilty to not informing the council of his change in circumstances.

Between February 9 and July 14, 2009, he received £670.57 in overpayment of housing benefit and £235.37 in council tax benefit.

Prosecuting, Linda Felton said Webb had lost his job in December 2008 and his partner had lost hers in 2009.

But the offence was committed when she secured a job in February last year.

"He said he had forgotten to inform the council when he was asked," Ms Felton said. "He explained he was suffering ill health and his mother was too."

But defending, John Roberts said: "Currently, he is in receipt of employment and support allowance. He is unfit for work as he is suffering emphysema.

"The situation here is his partner had signed off from Jobseekers, but it was low-paid employment."