A COUPLE who cheated Havering Council out of more than £90,000 in benefits have been ordered to pay it back.
Lynne Madel, of Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch, claimed housing and council tax benefit for ten years from 1996, claiming she was a single parent.
She was actually living with her husband, William Madel.
Not only did the couple own the house they were living in while fraudulently claiming almost £80,000 in benefits, Mr Madel owned several other properties.
Council investigators found that Mrs Madel jointly owned six further properties, purchased with cash deposits straight after she stopped claiming benefits. She had also been claiming income support.
It was also discovered that, following a split between the couple in 2008, Mr Madel claimed employment support allowance from 2009 to 2010, while saying he was living on handouts from family and friends.
Both pleaded guilty to the charges and were ordered to repay the council £92,000.
In addition, on December 14, at Basildon Crown Court, Mr Madel was ordered to pay £20,000 costs to the council within six months and sentenced to a two-year conditional discharge.
Mrs Madel also received a two-year conditional discharge.
Councillor Roger Ramsey, cabinet member for value, said: "This shows that crime doesn't pay and that we will do everything within our powers to get money back which has been fraudulently claimed from us.
"Benefits are there for the most vulnerable members of our society, not for a married couple with a portfolio of properties.
"I am glad that this couple have been caught out in their lies and ordered to repay the thousands which they were not entitled to."