Psychic pensioner failed to predict a hefty court fine

Or maybe he had already predicted that the £10,000 fraud would land him in the dock.

John Slack, of Darvel Down, Netherfield, claimed housing and Council Tax benefit from 2006, but failed to declare his line of work as a psychic after starting his career in January 2010.

As a result he was overpaid more than £10,000.

The 75-year-old appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to the failure to promptly report that he had started work.

Slack was fined £200 and ordered to pay court costs of £455.

He will also have to repay all of the overpaid benefits.

The court took into account his admission and early guilty plea when deciding on his punishment.

The case was brought to court by Rother District Council, which had a stern warning for anyone else thinking about committing benefit fraud.

A spokesman said: “We take all cases of benefit fraud very seriously.

“Rest assured, if you are a benefit cheat, you will get caught.

“Fraud can be reported anonymously by contacting the Fraud Investigation Team on our 24 hour hotline on 01424 787737.”