A Bromley benefit fraudster was sentenced for dishonestly claiming more than £4,000 in council tax discounts.

Ricky Wootton, 50, of Timbertop Road, was sentenced at Bromley Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to claiming a single-person discount between August 2002 and December last year.

He claimed the discount which amounted to £4,342 on his council tax although his brother had lived with him since 2002.

The fraud came to light when Wootton was in hospital and his brother answered a council tax query.

Wootton was handed a four-month prison sentence on January 17, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £350 towards prosecution costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Councillor Neil Reddin, chairman of Bromley’s audit committee, said: “We take all fraud committed against this authority very seriously and welcome the outcome of this successful prosecution.

“Claiming allowances such as single person discount that people are not entitled to, is fraud and represents a loss of income to Bromley Council. Fraud against Bromley is not tolerated as it wastes public funds that are meant for those in genuine need.”

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

The council has also launched an anti-fraud App, which is a quick and easy way for residents to report their suspicions.

Visit www.bromley.gov.uk/fraud for information about downloading the app to your mobile device.