A MAN has been given a year to pay back stolen benefits.

On Thursday at Alloa Sheriff Court, Werner Fotheringham admitted failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions about a change of circumstances that he knew affected his entitlement to Jobseekers Allowance.

Between December 11, 2013 and August 25, 2015, the 63-year-old was in receipt of a pension and had capital in excess of the lower limit, thereby obtaining £4,404.19 of which he was not entitled.

Fotheringham, of The Orchard in Tullibody, told the court that he had begun to pay back the money.

Sheriff Linda Smith deferred sentence until January 11, 2018 for good behaviour and to allow the accused time to continue the repayments.