Hounslow's finance boss has hailed the conviction of a 58-year old Brentford man who will spend Christmas behind bars after pleading guilty to major benefit fraud.
Derek Lamb, of Boston Manor Road, was jailed for 18 weeks at Feltham Magistrate’s Court last Friday after admitting benefit fraud worth £31,000.
The case was brought by Hounslow Council's fraud team and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Cllr Gerald McGregor, lead member for finance Hounslow Council said: "It is distressing when a fraud continues and the funds stolen mount up in this way.
"But if anyone thinks they can get away with it, the message is simple - you will be caught and you will have to repay the money you stole. So well done our fraud team."
Magistrates heard Lamb, who has to repay his ill-gotten gains, had been claiming benefits as a single person but was in fact living with his partner who was working full time.
Between January 2003 and September 2006 he falsely pocketed £17,929.06 in housing benefit, £3,502.26 in council tax benefit and £10,259.10 in income support.
