No one is above the law when it comes to Benefit fraud

The warning comes as the council prosecuted a civil servant, who was employed by the Department for Work and Pension and based at Jobcentre Plus, for illegally claiming £31,783 in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

Appearing for sentencing at Inner London Crown Court on February 27, Hexima Patel, 43, of Nightingale Way, East Ham, pleaded guilty to six charges under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 and one charge under the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

She was sentenced to 45-week imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 100 hours community order.

The court heard how Patel completed the application forms for her mother-in-law and supplied tenancy agreements which indicated that rent was being charged, while failing to declare that they were related.

Following a tip-off, the council's fraud team investigated and discovered that Patel's mother-in-law was living at the same address but was not being charged rent.

Patel has since repaid the money.

Executive member for finance, Councillor Lester Hudson, said: "Committing Benefit fraud catches up on everyone - no one gets away with it.

"It's alarming that someone who works for the very organisation that clamps down on Benefit fraud should herself be committing that same crime.

"The majority of people who claim Benefits are genuine, but we take fraud very seriously and will not hesitate in prosecuting anyone caught stealing from the public purse."

People who suspect others of committing Housing Benefit or Council Tax fraud can contact the fraud team in confidence by emailing: fraud@newham.gov.uk or by calling freephone 0800 052 2420.