A SUICIDAL debt-ridden father of four who claimed £5,847 dole money while holding down a full-time job was given a community punishment order.

Graham Gammon, aged 45, of Windsor Drive, Orpington, pleaded guilty to making false representations at Croydon Crown Court. He had received benefits for himself, his partner and two dependent children, while working for Parcelforce on a salary of £12,500 between July 1996 and June 1997.

Defending, Miss Sally Halkerston said Gammon had been under severe financial pressure supporting a child from his first marriage as well as his second wife and three more children.

When he started his Parcelforce job, it was on a casual basis and he had not expected it to last long. According to a psychiatric nurse, he had expressed suicidal thoughts. Mr Recorder Cartwright said: "I accept that it was need rather than greed."

Gammon was ordered to carry out 200 hours community punishment and pay £200 costs.