An ex-civil servant from Penge has been jailed after falsely claiming more than £100,000 over 12 years.

Neil Smith, from Penge Lane, was working for the Civil Service while claiming benefits since 2002 – the earliest benefit records date back to for re-assessment.

Smith, 38, had never notified the council of his job in the civil service, and between March 2002 and February 2014 he had been overpaid more than £110,000 in benefits.

Smith was sentenced to eight months imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court on Friday (May 15) for fraudulently claiming £46,563 in housing benefit and £9,356 in council tax benefit.

He was also sentenced to three months imprisonment to run concurrently for the £11,755 fraudulently claimed in income support from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

He initially pleaded not guilty to three charges of benefit fraud at Bromley Magistrates Court on July 14 last year.

MORE TOP STORIES Before his trial was due to start at Croydon Crown Court he changed his plea to guilty for charges relating to his housing, council tax benefit and income support.

A third charge relating to his claim for severe disablement allowance was withdrawn, although £42,599 must be repaid to the DWP.

Councillor Neil Reddin Chairman of Bromley’s Audit Committee said: “The jail sentence received is welcomed by this Council as it sends a clear message to fraudsters that they can lose their freedom and livelihood if they cheat.

“Our public funds are only available to those in genuine need.”

Smith was ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge, but no costs were awarded to the council.

As well as receiving a jail sentence and criminal record, Smith will have to repay the amount in full.

It is thought Smith was dismissed from the civil service prior to his sentencing.