Home detention is the likely punishment for a Whanganui man who committed benefit fraud to the tune of $19,000.
Allister Leo Joines pleaded guilty to seven counts of using a document for pecuniary advantage when he appeared in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.
Judge Philip Crayton said Joines received four different benefits between 2009 and 2015.
"You, like anyone who seeks a benefit, must inform the authorities when your circumstances change. You became involved in a relationship which was permanent and which, if declared, would have changed your benefit entitlement.
"As a consequence of your non-declaration you received an over-payment of $29,000. However, as you were entitled to some of that, the total amount of your fraud was $19,000."