Man appears in court over wills and probate abuse

A man has appeared in court for wills and probate abuse, after he claimed benefits despite inheriting money from his father.

David Lyttelton, the son of jazz musician Humphrey Lyttelton, confessed that he claimed benefits worth over £4,100 despite his parent deciding to make a will that included him.

Mr Lyttelton, of Elm, continued to claim council tax benefit without declaring the inheritance to the Department of Work and Pensions.

Between October 2009 and May 2010, he was overpaid in excess of £3,600 in income support payments and £530 in council tax benefit between late 2009 and May last year.

Now, King's Lynn magistrates have ordered the 53-year-old to carry out 80 hours of unpaid community work and to pay costs of £200, as well as paying back the money he claimed.

Earlier this month, Donna Smith was handed a suspended sentence after being left over £50,000 in a will but still claiming more than £15,000 in benefits, the Wisbech Standard reported.

Published by Hannah Carr