A BENEFITS worker who stole almost £4,500 which should have been paid to claimants has been re-sentenced after failing to do unpaid work.

In March Ashley Prince, who had worked as a customer service advisor in Bolton, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years after pleading guilty to siphoning payments into his own bank account in order to fund a drug and gambling addiction.

As part of his sentence he was ordered to do 240 hours of unpaid work plus 15 rehabilitation activity days.

But Julian Goode, prosecuting, told Judge Graeme Smith at Bolton Crown Court that, apart from an hour's induction he has completed non of the unpaid work.

The court heard that Prince, aged 27, of Seddon Lane, Radcliffe, had produced four sick notes citing anxiety and depression.

Judge Graeme Smith agreed to sentence Prince to a three month curfew instead.

"In the circumstances it is clearly necessary," said the judge. Prince will be fitted with an electronic tag and have to remain at home between 9pm and 7am each day.