A man who lost his home after being prosecuted by the DWP says he is "frightened to put my head on the pillow".

George Henderson claims he made an "honest mistake" by failing to declare his income working as a taxi driver in Leyland, Lancashire.

The 64-year-old had been caring for his son, who has learning difficulties.

But his work as a taxi driver was not picked up by the DWP for almost a decade which resulted in a significant amount of overpayments owed back.

The government said it was "right" it sought to claim back taxpayers' money.

He was prosecuted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and found guilty of benefit fraud, resulting in a suspended prison sentence with requirements to wear an electronic tag.

Mr Henderson told BBC North West Tonight: "I've ticked a box, mistakenly and honestly, incorrectly. But it took 10 years for them to find that.

"I was degraded as a criminal. I was Jack the lad, laughing, joking, but that's gone."

Emily Holzhausen, from the charity Carers UK, told the BBC: "It's not acceptable that people are building these overpayments without necessarily realising.

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"It's really important that the government invests in a modern system for carers' allowance."

Mr Henderson, who now lives in supported accommodation in Walton-le-Dale, said: "I had a lovely two-bedroom house, worked hard to keep my home, and they just came and they took it.

"I've been through hell, for five years"

He told the BBC he had attempted suicide and was awaiting trauma therapy.

"As every day goes by, I'm frightened to put my head on the pillow, because I have really bad nightmares," he added.

The DWP said Carer's Allowance claimants have a responsibility to inform it of any changes in their circumstances.

"It is right that we recover taxpayers' money when this has not occurred", a spokesperson said.