Ex-England and Ipswich Town player Kevin Beattie admits benefit fraud

The inaugural winner of the PFA Young Player of the Year has been sentenced for falsely receiving benefits while working as a radio pundit.

Kevin Beattie, 58, of Ipswich, admitted to claiming almost £9,000 by failing to declare that he was working for BBC Radio Suffolk.

The former central defender was one hailed by Sir Bobby Robson, who managed him at Ipswich Town, as the best England player he had ever seen.

He won nine caps for England alongside over 200 appearances for the Tractor Boys but is now living off "limited means", Ipswich Magistrates' court was told.

Beattie, who won the PFA award in 1974 and was part of the Ipswich side that won the 1978 FA Cup, was given a 12-week curfew that means he must remain indoors between the hours of 10pm and 7am.