An Anerley landlord has been jailed for council tax fraud after he denied owning his own home and a second property in Lewisham.

Fitzgerald Bruce, 45, falsely claimed almost £7,000 and denied having full ownership of his home in Foxley Manor and another house in Casewick Road which he was renting out.

Benefit assessors referred the case to the fraud team when they became suspicious that he may not have declared his correct income details.

Bruce provided a statement via his solicitor which said that he owned around 30 per cent of the properties and made no gain from renting one out.

He received £6,719.69 in benefits between August 25, 2008, and April 1 this year.

Bruce pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance and a trial date was set, however on the day of the trial he changed his plea to guilty on all three charges and was sentenced to 30 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay £2,000 in prosecution costs.

Bruce was sentenced to 30 weeks imprisonment at Bexley Magistrates Court on May 15 after pleading guilty to claiming Council Tax benefit when he had "capital over the prescribed limit" in the form of another property.

A council spokesperson said: “We welcome this result and the custodial sentence as it sends a clear message that fraud committed by these cheats will not be tolerated. This Authority has a zero tolerance to fraud. Those who claim allowances, such as council tax support, to which they are not entitled, are committing fraud that represents a loss of income to Bromley Council. It is a waste of public funds meant for those in genuine need.”