A former Westminster resident has been found guilty on three charges of fraud following a three-day trial at Southwark Crown Court. Jurors heard how the individual sublet the property, no bigger than a small hotel room, but claimed he lived there with two other individuals.
An investigation by Westminster City Council’s Corporate Anti-Fraud Service gathered evidence which indicated the individual had dishonestly obtained a council property in October 2011.
He had originally submitted an application for housing based on the fact that he was a single man living in his parent’s Temporary Accommodation. In fact, he had married in 2009 and was living in a property in the London Borough of Enfield in a house owned by his wife.
During the course of the tenancy, he sub-let the council property between August 2013 and September 2014 for £650 per month.
He confirmed that the flat in question was his main and principal residence, and the sale went through in 2015 with the individual being awarded a discount of over £100,000. This is despite the fact that he and his partner had rented a property in the London Borough of Barnet between September 2014 and May 2017.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the three charges and gave evidence in his own defence. He argued that despite getting married in 2009, he had never lived with his wife, instead only visiting at the weekend.
He further denied sub-letting to tenants in 2013. He insisted that they lived with him in the small studio property, despite the Court being shown photos which confirmed that the flat was less than 25m squared similar to the size of a hotel room.
Sentencing will take place on 11th August at Southwark Crown Court. Following this, the local authority’s financial investigator will commence proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act, to recoup some of the criminal gains made by the individual.
Councillor Aicha Less, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Public Protection and Licensing said:
Council accommodation is designed to be for those truly in need. However, the actions of this individual were a calculated and clear breach of the process. They knew exactly what they were doing.”
“The Anti-Fraud service’s hard work have been vindicated by the jury’s decision on all three counts. By cracking down on fraudsters like this, we can continue our Fairer Housing commitment to allocate more social housing to residents who need it the most.”
Published: 4 July 2023