Mayor denies benefit fraud charges » Local Government » 24dash.com

A town's mayor appeared in court today to deny fraudulently claiming incapacity benefit while actively pursuing a pastime as a soccer referee.

Keith McNiffe, 57, mayor of Pembroke, in West Wales, is facing two charges of illegally obtaining benefits amounting to £9,233 between July 2005 and May 2007.

He appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court today, where he denied both charges.

Shaun Dyer, defending, told magistrates that McNiffe acknowledged that he had refereed football matches over the period.

He said he would be contesting the charges on the basis that "a consultant surgeon had advised him to take strong physical exercise" to improve his condition.

McNiffe had undergone surgery for a condition which meant his stomach had to be removed. He also suffered from chronic back problems.

The case was adjourned until April 21 for pre-trial reports and to allow time for a full report to be compiled by McNiffe's surgeon in London.

He was released on unconditional bail.