A calculated fraudster who lived a champagne lifestyle of luxury holidays and shopping sprees sub-let her council house which was paid for by taxpayers.

Ingrid Schultz from Kilburn , pleaded guilty on Thursday February 16 to sub-letting her property in Burton Road between March 2010 and November 2015.

Harrow court heard how the 65-year-old "enjoyed a champagne lifestyle with the money she made, often travelling abroad, dining out at restaurants and going on shopping sprees".

Harrow Crown Court, where Schultz was sentenced to 12 months custody, suspended for two years

Her suspicious circumstances were reported by anonymous callers to the Genesis Housing Association from someone who commented on the turnover of subtenants.

The case was referred by Genesis to Brent's Audit and Investigation Team which began to collect evidence on her activities.

Schultz was found to be illegally subletting her council house as well as living in another property in a neighbouring borough and illegally renting out the loft.

The fraud was uncovered by an anonymous telephone call to Genesis Housing Association

Schultz was sentenced to 12 months custody, suspended for two years, ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a £100 surcharge as well as being served an Unlawful Profit Order of £10,823 on February 16.

Councillor Harbi Farah, Brent Council's Lead Member for Housing, said: "To that handful of residents who think the rules on subletting don't apply to them, let this be a message to you, loud and clear - we're working harder than ever to catch, prosecute and punish those cheating their law-abiding neighbours out of a safe, secure, affordable home.

"As well as being illegal, subletting's not fair, it's not right, and in Brent, we won't stand for it."

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