High Peak Magistrates' Court heard how Damien Ingham, 20, had been overpaid £977.36 in Job Seekers Allowance which he had not been entitled to.

Ingham ran up two claims for Job Seekers Allowance. He registered at Stockport Job Centre Plus under a different name, while having an ongoing legitimate claim in force at the Buxton Job Centre Plus.

Surveillance was carried out which caught Ingham signing-on in Buxton on February 15 and then in Stockport on February 21.

Ingham, of Terrace Road, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to making a false statement.

James Riley, defending, said: "This defendant has an unusual background as he had been given two identities arising from his time when his father was working in the forces in Germany.

"He had been struggling financially and foolishly took the opportunity to make another claim under his additional identity.

"His original claim in Buxton was entirely proper, but he accepts he foolishly seized the opportunity to dig himself out of a financial hole."

Mr Riley went on to say Ingham was currently undergoing basic training with the Territorial Army with a view to joining the armed forces.

He added: "He is due to pass out in June, which may lead to him being sent to do something useful for this country overseas, primarily in Afghanistan."

Chairman of the Bench Hilary Batterbee said: "For making a false application for Job Seekers Allowance, we are going to make a community order for one year, with a requirement that you carry out 140 hours unpaid work in the community."

Ingham must also pay £50 costs.