£33,000 benefits probe

AN Oldham man stands accused of claiming nearly £33,000 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

John Sidlow (60), of Grange Court, Werneth, denied three charges in a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) prosecution.

Sidlow is accused of failing to notify the DWP of an improvement in his mobility and that he was working again, which would affect his entitlement to Disability Living Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Income Support from April, 2010, to April, 2014.

Sidlow received an overpayment in benefits of £32,608.

He will appear at Oldham Magistrates’ Court for trial on March 31, next year.

He was released on bail until then.