A MATURE student failed to tell benefits providers he was in receipt of student grants and loans.

Blackburn magistrates heard Nadim Ahmed failed to disclose his true circumstances and received a total overpayment of nearly £4,000.

Ahmed, 37, of Queens Road, Accrington, pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain housing benefit and dishonestly failing to disclose information which affected his entitlement to employment and support allowance and job seekers allowance.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 60 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the total overpayment was £3,915 over a 28 week period.

"When he completed the application form he committed to say he was a student," said Mr Robinson.

Gareth Price, defending, said Ahmed had to wait 12 months for the matter to come to court and he had been extremely worried throughout that period.

"Some of the money he received as a student has to be paid back and that is why he treated it in a different way," said Mr Price.