A disabled ex-soldier fraudulently claimed more than £6,000 in benefits while working as a minibus driver.

Christopher Reade, 59, told the Department for Work and Pensions and Cheshire East Council that he was too ill too work, a court heard.

As a result he received income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

But Reade kept quiet that he had been working as a minibus driver for a care home run by Sunrise Senior Living, for almost a year, raking in £400 per month.

It meant he received £6,278 more in benefits than he was entitled to.

Reade, of Southacre Drive, Handforth , admitted two charges of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting entitlement to social security benefit.

Macclesfield Magistrates’ Court heard that Reade, who served in the Army from 1974 to 79, had claimed benefits since 2003.

Sally Ryan, prosecuting, said: “This was a case of multiple frauds through multiple claims.

“The defendant repeatedly declared that he lived alone, he was disabled and was unable to work.”

The court heard that in 2012, Cheshire East Council began investigating claims that Reade was not living alone and had been working.

Mrs Ryan said: “As part of a national fraud operation the council matched a Lesley Reade to the defendant’s former address Tarporley Walk, Wilmslow.

“It was later discovered that Christopher Reade was married and had worked three jobs for Sunrise Senior Living between January 17, 2007, and December 24, 2007.

“It was also found that he hadn’t notified the authorities of an army pension he had received since 2009.

“During an interview with council officers, Reade confirmed he had married Lesley Reade in September 2006 but that she had never lived with him because on their honeymoon she had told him she was gay.

“He told officers during the interview that she moved into her own property but he allowed her to use it as a ‘care of’ address.”

The court heard that Reade cheated the DWP out of income support worth £4,033, and Cheshire East Council of £1,743 housing benefit and £501 council tax benefit.

Mark Lever, defending, said working while claiming he could not was a ‘foolish’ decision.

He said: “He was driving the elderly for a few hours a day in a mini- bus.

“It could be argued he was doing a service to the community. Working was a foolish decision.

“He has lost his good name. Ironically he now cannot work. He had an operation to remove bone from his spine and is on disability benefits for life.”

Reade was ordered to complete a five-month curfew, preventing him from leaving his house between 3pm and 1am. He must also pay £450 towards court costs.

Peter Nash, chairman of the bench, said: “It is a substantial sum of money. You knew what you were doing. It cost the public money.”Wilmslow.