Altaf Hussain, aged 33, of Silverdale Road, Ecclesall, bought eight houses, sold five and let three, all in two years after he inherited his father's house.

But two months before he embarked on the lucrative venture in February 2005, his wife submitted a claim for income support and council and housing benefit, on the basis neither was working and they had two children.

Sheffield Crown Court heard at the height of the business, during the boom years of 2007, the properties were worth £600,000.

Prosecutor Michael Rawlinson said a Department for Work and Pensions investigation uncovered his assets at a time when the threshold for claiming benefits was £8,000 in savings.

But James Baird, defending, said the business had been "disastrous" and Hussain had been left with massive debts after the collapse of the property market.

Hussain pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to notify the DWP of a change of circumstances.

The court heard that with the help of his brother he had repaid all of the fraudulently claimed benefits totalling £19,995.

Judge John Swanson said Hussain's inheritance had encouraged a high degree "financial recklessness".

He told Hussain: "With that money, and the stupidity of the banking system at the time, you started a large business buying and selling houses.

"It is reported there was a time when you had £600,000 worth of property. The recession happened and you were caught out. You were also caught out by the DWP."

Hussain was given a six-month suspended sentence and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.


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