A Snodland woman who claimed benefits, despite living in a house owned by her father has been convicted of fraud.

Joanne Parker was sentenced to 16 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, after she admitted giving false information to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council in a change of address form.

Instead of telling the authority the property was family-owned, the 40-year-old, who lived in Malling Road, Snodland, gave the name of a friend as the landlord resulting in an overpayment of more then £8,200 in housing benefit.

She pleaded guilty on Tuesday, August 12 and was sentenced at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on Thursday, September 11.

Ms Parker, who no longer lives in the borough, will have to repay all the money that she had fraudulently claimed, as well as an £80 victim surcharge.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s cabinet member for finance, innovation and property, Cllr Martin Coffin, said: “This is the latest in a long list of people attempting to defraud council tax payers of their hard earned money and there really can be no excuse for benefit fraud.

"It must be obvious from recent reports in the press that we are finding more fraudsters all the time, and that our benefit investigation team do indeed follow up every lead to ensure that people who defraud the benefit system are caught and brought to justice.”

Anyone who suspects someone is fraudulently claiming benefit should contact the Benefit Investigation Section, in confidence, on 01732 876337. For more visit www.tmbc.gov.uk.