A WOMAN who cheated Bexley Council out of more than £15,000 worth of council tax and housing benefit, has been ordered to pay it back.

Julie Wall, aged 43, of Craydene Road, Erith, pleaded guilty at Bexley Magistrates Court, to six charges of false representation between 2002 and 2006, for failing to disclose her non-dependent partner was living with her.

She was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay back benefit payments of £15,346.22 she was not entitled to.

Wall was also told she will have to do 200 unpaid work in the community and pay £300 costs.

Bexley councillor Colin Campbell, cabinet member for finance and corporate services said: “Residents who deliberately and fradulently claim benefits they know they are not entitled to, will be prosecuted and must suffer the consequences of their actions.”