A healer from Glastonbury dishonestly claimed nearly £25,000 in housing and council tax benefits over a three-year period.

Kestrel Oakwood, 49, of Hood Close, failed to inform Mendip District Council of a £60,000 inheritance he received when his mother died, and failed to disclose new bank accounts he set up with that money.

Oakwood, who described himself in Frome magistrates’ court last week as a self-employed healer, admitted four charges of fraudulently claiming benefit.

He had further accounts

He was charged with failing to inform Mendip of the changes in his financial circumstances, and declaring that his only bank accounts were with NatWest and Barclays, when in fact he had further accounts with the Co-operative and Lloyds TSB. His inherited money was invested and gave him a monthly income of between £150 and £200.

Magistrates decided to adjourn the case for four weeks to give time for the probation service to prepare an all-options report. Oakwood is due back in court on May 20, and was warned that the offences could carry a custodial sentence and fines of up to £5,000.

Solicitor Alex Kershaw-, representing Mendip District Council, said all claimants signed a declaration stating that they were aware that giving false information would leave them liable to prosecution.

She said those earning more than £16,000 were not eligible for housing benefit.

Oakwood’s activities came to light when the council’s benefit fraud investigation team received information about him, and found that he had inherited a considerable sum in April 2005, and not declared it.

He was interviewed last November, and said he did not think the money he had inherited counted as income, as he had not earned it.

He said he wanted to keep the capital to help him in his retirement, as he had no savings.

In all, from April 2005 to November last year, £21,599.89 in housing benefit was dishonestly claimed, along with £2,881.52 in council tax benefit, making a total of £24,481.41.

His benefit claims began 10 years ago, and at first the money was honestly obtained.

“But he went on to deceive the council and claim benefit he was not entitled to,” said Miss Kershaw-Moore.

She said he had offered to pay back all the fraudulently claimed money, but so far nothing had been received.

Magistrates said it was a deception that continued over a long period, using public money that could have been used for community purposes.