For eight years Stephen Holmes claimed housing benefit while living with his mother, pocketing £16,000 from the public purse.

After denying the thefts, Holmes was found guilty at the trial but instead of accepting the verdict, Holmes fired off a missive to the Lord Chancellor saying one of the beaks had dozed off.

Since the letter was read behind closed doors we have only the tacit admission of the presiding JP, who withdrew the verdict, that everything was not quite as it should have been.

The city council doesn't take on these cases lightly and it's reasonable to assume the evidence that led to the conviction, was sufficiently strong to meet the criteria of being beyond reasonable doubt.

It is unlikely Mr Holmes suffered a sudden twinge of guilt and desire for absolution when he finally admitted his misdemeanours. But now, instead of being punished for wasting time, it looks like Mr Holmes will receive a lesser sentence.