SENTENCING of a 73-year-old benefits cheat who falsely claimed thousands of pounds was adjourned yesterday.

Ronald Brindley, of Ebbw Vale, previously pleaded guilty to making 16,000 worth of false benefit claims between July 1998 and March 2003, while he was living in a rented property in Watchet, Somerset.

An investigation by West Somerset district council found the pensioner was not entitled to any housing or council tax benefits because he had considerable cash assets, which he failed to declare.

He was found to have 92,000 cash reserves, spent 4,000 on a luxury cruise and dealt in property.

Sentencing was adjourned until February 16 for a more thorough medical report.

At Taunton crown court Judge Stephen O'Malley said: "We are leaning over backwards to help this gentleman because on the one hand he seems to be a frail elderly person but on the other hand he is looking at a sentence of imprisonment."

Brindley was given unconditional bail.