An 88-year-old benefit cheat confessed “I’ve been a naughty boy” when he was quizzed by investigators.

Eric Begent claimed more than £7,500 he wasn’t entitled to receive over a number of years.

A court heard he failed to declare his British Airways pension and £17,000 worth of savings and investments.

The extra money would have cancelled out his council tax benefit.

When Tendring Council fraud investigators questioned him he admitted: “I’ve been a naughty boy.”

Begent, who said he didn’t have enough money to live on, admitted fraud at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

“He feels, like many other people – he has been penalised for saving money all his life,” said Raphael Pigott, mitigating.

Begent had spent most of his savings on improvements to his Clacton home and an eye operation.

Magistrates heard he lost his sight in one eye after serving in the Second World War.

Mr Pigott claimed it was “ridiculous and immoral” to means test people in their 80s for benefits.

“It is unusual to have a man of his age in front of the court,” said Mr Pigott.

“He has never been in court for anything in his life. He is a man more sinned against than sinning.”

Begent, of Ottershaw Way, Clacton, had been put in the cells after being arrested for failing to turn up at court.

Christopher Casey, prosecuting, said the council wasn’t pressing bail offences because it didn’t want to seem like an “overbearing ogre”.

However, he said, the arrest warrant was the “only way” they could get him to court.

Begent had already paid £4,000 back to the council. He was fined £100 with £100 costs.