A MAN who allegedly failed to declare that he was also earning between £300 and £1,000 a month as a retained fireman when he claimed housing and council tax benefits was acquitted by a Truro Crown Court jury on Wednesday. Darren Berrey, 35, of Mortimore Close, Saltash, had denied three charges alleging he had failed to declare to Caradon District Council his earnings as a fireman. He was also found not guilty of failing promptly to declare that his wife Anita had begun employment at the Cross Park Pre-School in the town, and that he failed to disclose promptly that he had received increased child tax and working tax credits. Prosecutor Paul Bitmead told the jury that Berrey, a father of three earning £400 a week as a taxi driver, first received benefits in May. On his application form, which required him to disclose all his income, he did not reveal a bank account into which his fireman's salary had been paid by the county council since 2002. His wife started work in January 2006 but her income was not declared until 2007. As a result Berrey had received £6,700 to which he was not entitled but which was now being repaid at £22 a week. Berrey told the court that when he applied for benefits he was informed by a member of Caradon Council that his earnings as a retained fireman would be disregarded. The delay in his declaring his wife's earnings and increased child benefits and working tax credits had been due to his bad administration. Recorder Adam Vaitilingam reminded the jury of Berrey's work as voluntary organiser of Saltash fire fighters' cadets. 'He has an outstanding reputation in the area, particularly in working for the cadets and in raising money for charity,' he said. The jury was in retirement for less than two hours before finding Berrey not guilty of all charges.