A FRAUD investigator who helped hide more than £30,000 of his wife's illegal benefit claims has been jailed for more than two years.

Mohammed Aslam, 38, admitted misconduct in his role as an investigator for Harrow's Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), that helped Afshan Ishaq secure a total of £31,447 in income support, housing benefits and council tax credits.

Aslam, of Bassingham Road, Wembley, never spoke to colleagues of his relationship with Ishaq and even pretended to interview her to conceal her false claims.

The pair originally denied any wrongdoing and were both put on trial at Harrow Crown Court, however nearly two weeks in to it Aslam admitted misconduct in a public office, money laundering and three counts of perverting the course of justice while Ishaq pleaded guilty to three counts of benefit fraud.

On Monday this week Aslam, who worked for the DWP since 2000, was jailed for two years and three months while 37-year-old Ishaq was given a six month term, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 180 hours of community service.

Judge Graham Arran told Aslam: "You were in complete breach of trust. Trust that we as members of the public are entitled to have in fraud investigators who we expect to protect the public purse.

"This was manipulative and deceptive, that's what makes it so serious."

The swindle occurred over the course of four year but started when Ishaq, now of Barn Way Wembley, came under investigation for an benefit over payment of £55.

Aslam orchestrated a scheme that enabled him to take over the case, logging false phone calls and interviews with Ishaq, with whom he now has a seven month old baby with.

They met while working together at the DWP offices in Uxbridge, got married in a Islamic ceremony, but pretended to be unattached so she could claim benefits.

Aslam has now lost his job at the DWP in Kings House in Harrow, was ordered to pay back the £31,477 and must pay £10,000 towards prosecution costs.

Speaking after the case a DWP spokesperson, was unable to comment on any other ongoing investigations in the department, but said: "DWP is the largest department employing 100,000 people and our staff work hard to help meet the demands of our 20 million customers.

"Where misconduct is identified a thorough investigation is carried out and appropriate action taken.

"We take fraud very seriously and our campaigns have brought fraud to its lowest level ever."