A benefits fraud investigator and his wife appeared in court this morning accused of falsely claiming more than £30,000.

Amjad Mohammed Aslam, of Bassingham Road, Wembley, was accused of swindling benefits from his employers at the Department of Work and Pensions, at Harrow Magistrates' Court.

The incidents date back to April 2004 when his wife Afshan Ishaq, of Barn Way, Wembley, claimed to be living at a rented property in Pinner Road, and was receiving housing benefits and income support to help her living costs.

However the prosecution argued she was in fact living with her husband at Kingsley Road, South Harrow, who owned the property and was in fact renting out the other property to tenants.

Aslam, 37, faces 10 charges including theft, perverting the course of justice and misconduct in a public office. His wife, 38, who was an ex-DWP employee, is charged with six offences including theft.

The court heard the couple, who married at Brent mosque in October 2004, failed to reveal they were married and Ishaq stated she was a single parent.

Prosecutors also told the court Aslam had investigated his wife for fraudulently claiming benefits whilst working, but during the investigation neither claimed they knew each other and he cautioned her for the offence, but did not register it.

In addition 14 fraud investigation files were found at Aslam's house and he has been accused of forging signatures for claimants and his co-workers on benefit investigation files, leading to benefit overpayment.

The pair were bailed with conditions including surrendering their passports and travel documents and staying at their places of residence.

Aslam and Ishaq are set to appear on January 22, 2009 at Harrow Crown Court.