A HOME owner has pleaded guilty to defrauding the council of £4,400 in housing benefit.
Irene Bigman, aged 58, of Coleridge Way, Orpington, is the joint owner of her house but claimed housing benefit as if she was a tenant between March and December 2004.
She was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 costs at Bromley Magistrates' Court on February 22. The council has got the money back.
Council leader Councillor Stephen Carr said: "This and previous prosecutions shows our continuing intention to vigorously pursue fraudsters and protect the public purse."
Anyone with any information about benefit fraud should call 0800 169 6975.
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