A Penge man has admitted scamming Bromley Council to get hundreds of pounds off his council tax for more than four years.

Gavin Pinto, 37, of Crampton Road, falsely claimed £1,533 in single-person discount from August 2009 while his wife was living with him, Bromley Magistrates' Court heard.

Single-person discount of 25 per cent can be claimed where there is only one qualifying adult resident in a property.

The case was referred for investigation after an application to Bromley Council by Pinto’s wife in respect of her child's school application when she gave her address as Crampton Road.   

Pinto was fined £460 and ordered to pay a £46 victim surcharge and £550 in costs.

He also has to repay the entire wrongly-claimed amount of £1,533.

Pinto pleaded guilty to falsely claiming single-person discount on his council tax.

Councillor Neil Reddin, chairman of Bromley’s audit committee, said: "We take all fraud committed against this authority seriously and welcome the outcome of this case.

"The claiming of single-person discount that a person is not entitled to is fraud and represents a loss of income to this authority that could be used to run council services.

"Fraud against Bromley Council is not tolerated and we will do our utmost to protect public funds."

Anyone with information about a suspected council tax fraud should contact the fraud hotline on 0800 169 6975 or email audit@bromley.gov.uk