An ambulance call dispatcher who’d been off “ill” had worked at the same time – for the fire service, a court heard.

Jamie Brown, 27, of The Avenue, Prestatyn, admitted fraud at St Asaph to gain sick pay on days between January and August 2018. Magistrates at Llandudno ordered him to pay £899 compensation to the Welsh ambulance service for its loss and £500 costs and to do 80 hours unpaid work.

Prosecutor James Neary said Brown had a caution for a similar fraud and his sickness record was therefore checked when “alarm bells” rang.

The ambulance service had discovered his second job in August 2018. He was entitled to have both. The fraud involved 14 days when he rang in sick.

Mr Neary said Brown became upset when interviewed by his NHS employer.

Barrister Ryan Rothwell, defending, said there was genuine remorse. Brown was industrious but had financial difficulties.

Brown had been a good worker in public services.

Mr Rothwell said Brown was now “going to lose everything” and may have to claim benefits.

A probation officer said he was still employed as a fireman. Brown had been suffering from depression.

He accepted what he did was wrong.

Sentencing him, court chairwoman Daphne Roberts said Brown was “genuinely remorseful” and a “conscientious” young man.