A 61-year-old Norfolk man who claimed more than £50,000 in benefits while working in Nigeria has been handed a nine-month suspended sentence.

Stephen Allen of St Williams Way, Thorpe St Andrew, claimed £53,941.53 in disability living allowance and incapacity benefits over almost seven years between May 2006 and February 2013 while working out of the country.

Norwich Crown Court heard Allen had been granted benefits in 2004 after a doctor diagnosed him as being unable to work due to mental-health issues.

Andrew Oliver, prosecuting, said in May 2006, while continuing to receive his benefits, Allen had returned to work as a fabrications manager in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

Allen pleaded guilty to failing to notify the department of his change of situation despite the court hearing that he received annual reminders to do so.

In late October 2008 Allen was also seen by a doctor as part of an annual department assessment.

Judge Stephen Holt said Allen had 'pulled the wool over the doctor's eyes while he was working in Nigeria', but was a man of good character.

Judge Holt said that while Allen's actions made it fall beyond the custodial threshold, putting the 61-year-old behind bars would do no good to anyone.

He said it was in the public interest for Allen to continue to work and pay the remaining money back.

Mr Oliver told the court that Allen's decision to maintain that he was unable to work showed there had been a clear 'element of planning'.

Michael Clare, for Allen, said the defendant had been repaying approximately £250 per month towards the overpayment, totalling £6,000 so far.

He told the court that this was not a case of the defendant being a 'conniving and devious individual' and that the most appropriate action was not an immediate jail sentence, but rather to make him continue making regular repayments.