A benefit cheat who netted more than £24,000 while running a successful tropical fish business has narrowly avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Christopher Randall admitted fraudulently claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance and housing and council tax benefit, as well as producing a false document.

He was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment suspended for two years with 240 hours unpaid work. A curfew from 8pm to 4am for two months was also imposed.

The 41-year-old, of Randall Hall Road, Wrotham, made the claims on the basis he was not working.

But Maidstone Crown Court heard he was running the Amazonian fish business on the internet, and between October 2010 and August 2012, £160,000 was paid into an account.

Prosecutor Alexia Zimbler said Randall claimed benefit from September 2010 on the basis he was not working and it was not until July 2011 he informed the council he was then a self-employed kitchen fitter.

In April 2012 he submitted a change of address form and provided a copy of a tenancy agreement. Benefits were reassessed and allowed to continue.

“It was a sophisticated situation in that he knew exactly what to do and how to convince the local authority he was entitled to these benefits...” - Prosecutor Alexia Zimbler

But checks revealed that his partner had bought the Randall Hall Road property in March that year for £196,000. The tenancy agreement was found to be fake.

Miss Zimbler said the deposit for the house had been taken from a deposit account which was not declared by either Randall or his partner.

“Bank statements showed payments from his fish business,” she said. “Approximately £160,000 had been paid into the account from this business.”

The letting agency Randall claimed he was using was contacted and they said they had nothing to do with the property.

“The tenancy agreement had been made up and forged,” said Miss Zimbler. “Mr Randall said he collected tropical Amazonian fish. He said he never made any money. He had about 100 fish tanks.

“It was a sophisticated situation in that he knew exactly what to do and how to convince the local authority he was entitled to these benefits,” said Miss Zimbler.

“He was also hiding an account which had large sums of money in it.”

Krystelle Wass, defending, said Randall lost a considerable amount with the collapse of Northern Rock and was made bankrupt in 2008. His financial difficulties led to depression and a gambling addiction.

“He was relieved when the fraud was discovered,” she said. “He has not made much money from the fish business.”

Recorder John Bate-Williams told Randall: “You were not a desperate mother with four children. You were living with a woman who had her own home.

“I take into account you have no previous convictions. For a man of your age that stands you in good stead.

“Only a custodial sentence can be justified but by a very narrow margin I will suspend it.”

A confiscation hearing will be held next May.

Cllr Martin Coffin from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council said: "This was yet another very serious case of benefit fraud and I’m pleased that our investigation team were able to pursue the details of this case and bring the offender to justice."

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