A Chigwell man who claimed £27,000 in council tax benefits despite owning a home in Spain has narrowly avoided jail.

Robert Persell, 46, of Oak Lodge Avenue appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Thursday (May 21) after pleading guilty to benefit fraud.

Persell failed to declare the asset on numerous occasions when claiming benefits from Epping Forest District Council.

He was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment suspended for one year due to health problems as well as being ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work before May 2016.

He was also ordered to pay back £765 in costs.