A council benefits officer and her daughter have been prosecuted for fraud.

Isobel Hart, 47, of Range Road, Eastchurch, who worked for Swale Council, allowed a false application to be sent to the council for housing benefit contrary to the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act.

She had helped her daughter Tracey Braun, 24, also of Range Road, to make the false application.

Both women denied the charges, but were found guilty of two offences each at the hearing on Wednesday, June 18 at Maidstone Crown Court.

Hart was suspended from the council in August last year, the day after Braun submitted the claim for housing benefit for a property her mother was renting.

Investigations by Swale Council officers revealed Braun’s tenancy had been made up to take advantage of the system.

Nick Saunders, the council’s benefits manager, said: “This case demonstrates that Swale Borough Council has good processes and vigilant staff in place to prevent abuses of the benefits system.

“It is sad that an officer in a position of trust has let down both herself and her colleagues.”

The pair will be sentenced on July 23.

Report suspicions to Swale Council’s fraud hotline on 01795 417714 or report it online