A former Erith resident has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after she pretended to be homeless to gain accommodation.

Annebel Nwanebi, formerly of Pembroke Road, did not have legal status in the UK, but fraudulently claimed to be the homeless partner of Charles Douglas, a European national entitled to housing.

The case was heard at the Inner London Crown Court in August.

Sentencing, Judge Wright QC said it was a "sophisticated and enduring fraud" recognising that "social housing is in short supply in London and your actions deprived a family of that."

Ms Nwanebi had approached the London Borough of Bexley for housing in August 2014, claiming that she, her partner, Charles Douglas, and their family were homeless, having been evicted from their previous privately rented accommodation.

They were given temporary accommodation in Dartford.

In April 2015, Ms Nwsanebi and Mr Douglas were nominated for a newly-built home in Erith Park estate, but an employee of Orbit housing association suspected their case was fraud and investigated with council officers.

On visiting the temporary accommodation, the tenancy fraud officer found Ms Nwanebi living there with her husband and son – not with Mr Douglas.

During the investigation, there was no trace of Mr Douglas. His identity and status as an EEA national was being used to get social housing because Ms Nwanebi and her husband did not have a legal status in the UK.

Cabinet member for adult services, Councillor Brad Smith, said: “By passing down a custodial sentence, the Judge in this case has sent a clear message to anyone who thinks they can obtain accommodation illegally.

"We won’t think twice about prosecuting anyone who takes away the chance of a home for a law abiding family who are in genuine need.”

Ms Nwanebi was found guilty of making false representations to obtain accommodation and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

Andrew Meyer, head of housing at Orbit, said: “The sentence given is reflective of the deception committed by Ms Nwanebi and sends out a strong message to anyone contemplating a similar act."