A benefit fraudster who ripped off the state to the tune of more than £30,000 has been jailed by a judge for 28 days.

Alistair Bolland, 59, who suffered from a bad back and other health problems began claiming incapacity benefit back in 1996, but a few months later he started helping out as a barman at the busy Holme Wood Social Club.

Between July 1996 and January 2000, Bolland continued to pocket the benefits cash, despite earning up to £142 a week.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that in March 1997 he even applied for a higher rate.

Prosecutor Paul Milner said an application for disability living allowance stated that Bolland's ill health meant he needed his wife's help to get dressed and it also affected his pastimes such as crown-green bowling and going to the local social club.

As a result Bolland did receive payments at the higher rate.

Judge Peter Benson described the application for extra money as "an audacious and calculated act of dishonesty''.

"You were, all this time, working down at the bar of a busy social club and, although I accept you weren't doing heavy lifting, that is physically demanding work and you were working hard at that time,'' he said.

"You must have realised you were ripping off the state in a calculating way, particularly when you had the cheek to apply for an enhanced benefit.''

Bolland, of Grayswood Drive, Holme Wood, admitted a total of 178 offences of benefit fraud and asked for three similar matters to be taken into consideration.

Mr Milner said the total overpayment, including incapacity benefit, disability living allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit amounted to £33,290.21.

Bolland's barrister Mark Fletton said he had begun helping out at the club on a sporadic basis and was not aware the amount of money he would be receiving would affect his benefit.

He said inquiries by Bolland's wife and assurances from other people suggested he could earn up to £50-a-week without affecting his benefits.

"The nature of the employment has been described as working behind the bar which, in the usual course, would raise the impression of somebody carrying barrels up and down stairs and pulling pints,'' said Mr Fletton. But he stressed that the social club was aware of Bolland's health problems and accommodated his condition.

Imposing the prison sentence, Judge Benson said it soon became apparent to Bolland that he was earning more than the £50 he had been told about and yet he continued to claim benefits and submitted sick notes giving the impression he was incapable of working.