An Orpington woman has avoided jail after pleading guilty to benefit fraud of nearly £12,000.

Mandy Collins, of Hazelmere Road, Orpington, pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council out of £11,397 in council tax benefit and £599 in job seekers allowance and employment and support allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.

An investigation revealed the 52-year-old failed to declare several bank accounts between 2006 and 2014, as well declaring three non-dependants, which included her two sons.  

Ms Collins pleaded guilty to two charges of benefit fraud at Bromley Magistrates’ Court and was handed a suspended two month prison sentence.

Councillor Neil Reddin, Chairman of Bromley’s Audit Committee, said: “This case was identified thanks to our Housing Benefit Section.

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“We must all be vigilant and report any suspected fraudulent activity to bring these cheats to justice.

“Bromley Council will not tolerate any fraud and will protect public funds meant for the needy of this borough.”

Ms Collins was also forced to pay court fines of over £600 as well as 200 hours of unpaid work - Bromley Council are also seeking to recover the overpayment.  

This is the 408th prosecution case of benefit claimants in Bromley since Bromley Council and the Royal Borough of Greenwich started working in partnership to track, trace and prosecute benefit fraudsters.

Anyone with information about a suspected benefit fraud should contact the Fraud Hotline on 0800 169 6975 that will be handled in strict confidence, or email audit@bromley.gov.uk  

A new anti-fraud App has also been launched whereby residents can report their suspicions. Visit bromley.gov.uk/fraud for more information about downloading the app.