A FATHER-OF-FOUR who swindled nearly £50,000 in benefits to treat his family to luxury holidays has been jailed.

Taxi driver Brian Phillips claimed he was unable to walk and needed help to care for himself in order to fraudulently claim thousands.

But the 60-year-old “family man” was jailed for eight months after Liverpool Crown Court heard he was a member of a swimming club and was regularly seen gardening.

For more than 2½ years, Phillips lied to the authorities about his circumstances to pocket a total of £47,354.

Sentencing him, Judge David Harris, QC, said: “It is very sad indeed to have to sentence you for what is undoubtedly a serious case of benefit fraud.

“You are almost 61 and you have contributed much to society through your commitment to your family.”

Judge Harris said records showed the money had been used for holidays and other items.

John Dixon, defending, told the court “decent, law-abiding” Phillips had initially claimed benefits legitimately.

The father, of St Oswald’s Avenue, Birkenhead, had been the main carer for his four successful children, while his wife Angela was the breadwinner.

But he fell on hard times after being involved in car crash and later separated from his wife. He started to collect council tax, income support and housing benefit.

After a bout of pneumonia in 2003, he also began to collect disability living allowance.

But when Phillips re-united with his wife and his mobility began to improve, he failed to tell the authorities.

Phillips pleaded guilty to four counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances.