A BENEFIT cheat has been jailed after he claimed nearly �6,000 in state handouts to which he was not entitled.

Olasubomi Adesina, 25, claimed �5,974 in housing benefit from Welwyn Hatfield Council after he registered as unemployed – despite being a full-time university student at the time.

But the authority caught up with him and, on June 11, he pleaded guilty to four benefit-related offences at West Herts Magistrates’ Court, in Hemel Hempstead.

Adesina, of Willow Way, Hatfield, was caged for 12 weeks.

The council confirmed it would make “every effort” to reclaim the money, which Adesina claimed over a nine-month period spanning 2008 and 2009.

If you know someone is claiming housing and/or council tax benefit dishonestly, call the council in confidence on 01707 357606.