Graham Waterman, pictured on page one, would be 110 years old by the time he has paid back all the money that he fraudulently claimed over a nine-year period.

The 58-year-old is paying back £10 per week to the Department for Work and Pensions and £12 per week to Portsmouth City Council – most of which is being taken from the benefits he legitimately claims.

He has already paid back £780 to the DWP.

Today, pressure groups described the arrangement as absurd.

Mark Wallace, campaigns director from the Taxpayers Alliance said: 'This is a shambles. The least the authorities should do is make sure the scheme is practical for the repayment of the money. The chance of getting this money back is minimal. With this absurd settlement taxpayers have been let down.'

Between 1997 and 2006 ,Waterman claimed £55,813 in income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit that he was not entitled to by failing to tell the authorities that his wife Linda, was working as a carer. He also didn't mention that he was working for two months at the beginning of 2006.

At Portsmouth Crown Court Waterman, of Lumsden Road, Eastney, Portsmouth admitted eight counts of furnishing a false statement so as to obtain benefit.

Recorder Lucinda Davis imposed a 10-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months on Waterman – and said she had spared him an immediate prison sentence for his wife's sake.

The court heard Mrs Waterman, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, needed around the clock care, which was provided by her husband.

Waterman's barrister Anthony Bailey told the court his client's initial claim for benefit was legitimate as he had health problems but he continued to claim when his circumstances changed.

Tony Nicholas, Portsmouth City Council's head of revenues and benefits said: 'This money has been defrauded and we're trying to get it back as quickly as we can. But the government's regulations say the maximum we can claim back is £12 a week.'

A spokeswoman for the DWP added: 'When people are convicted for benefit fraud, we always seek to recover that overpayment.

'We are determined to recoup the stolen money but we don't want to cause the person unnecessary suffering.'