A graphic designer cheated the taxpayer by illegally pocketing thousands of pounds in benefits despite working for a top business firm in Canary Wharf.

Jennie Gray, who worked for HSBC Investments before being taken on by another firm, deceptively claimed almost £10,000 despite being in full-time employment.

The 32-year-old was caught after an anonymous tip-off led Sutton Council’s investigators to her door.

Gray, of Sutton Court Road, Sutton, was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service after admitting two counts of benefit fraud.

The court also demanded that all of the money be paid back - none of which has been recovered so far.

Prosecutor Lindsay Sambrooks-Wright told magistrates that Gray had pilfered incapacity benefit of £4,000, housing benefit of £4,780 and council tax of £1,200 over a 16-month period.

She said: “She had claimed she was unable to work but was in fact earning nearly £16 an hour.

“When interviewed, she at first denied working, then said she was working part-time before finally admitting to working full-time.

“She said she didn’t say anything about her change in circumstances because she was worried about getting into trouble.”

Magistrates told Gray she would have received a jail term due to the length of the deception but avoided custody because she admitted the offence.

Councillor John Drage, the council’s finance spokesman, said: “Cheats who take money from the taxpayers’ purse, especially in these difficult financial times, will not be tolerated.

“We would like to thank the public for coming forward with information to help us to bring this fraudster to justice.”

Sutton’s investigations team has tracked down more than £400,000 in false claims in the past year.

If you think someone is fraudulently claiming benefits call the council’s investigation team, in confidence, on 020 8770 5687 or via the website sutton.gov.uk/reportabenefitfraud