A BENEFIT cheat who claimed nearly £25,000 from East Hampshire District Council over an eight-year period has been given a suspended sentence.

Peter Mursell, of Nickleby House, Portsmouth, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months.

He was also given a 12-month supervision order for defrauding housing benefit and council tax benefit from the two authorities.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.