An ex-soldier has been fined and ordered to pay back £1,750 after falsely claiming benefit.

Emannuel Monnay, 25, claimed housing and council tax benefit while working in London as a bus driver, Didcot Magistrates’ Court heard.

Monnay, who pleaded guilty to benefit fraud, was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay back £1,725.15 with £200 costs.

Monnay, who had been living in an MoD property in Spray Road, Abingdon, moved to London in January last year, but carried on claiming benefit from the Vale of White Horse District Council.