A Penge resident has pleaded guilty to defrauding the council out of nearly £20,000.

Sarah Sanders, 33, pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates to falsely claiming £19,501 in housing and council tax benefits between 2009 and 2015.

After an investigation into Sanders, of Kingswood Road, it was discovered she had failed to declare pay increases during those six years.

MORE TOP STORIES Sanders, who also goes by the name Sarah McLellan, was sentenced to a 12 month community order requiring her to carry out 140 hours unpaid work, and ordered to pay £400 in costs on July 9.

Councillor Neil Reddin, chairman of Bromley’s audit committee, said: Bromley Council does not tolerate any fraud and will protect public funds meant for the needy of this borough.”

As well as having a criminal record Bromley Council will recover the money.