A Bromley man spent three and a half years claiming council tax support, despite having seven different jobs over that time.

Osaigbokan Joseph Ighavongbe claimed £2,500 in council tax support from October 2013 to April 2017 before Bromley Council caught on to his actions.

The 37-year-old had seven different undeclared jobs during that period, and had an undeclared adult living at his home and numerous undeclared bank accounts.

In an interview with fraud investigators, Ighavongbe, of Wolsey Court in Bromley, tried to claim he just made an honest mistake in failing to inform the council, explaining that it was his first time he had claimed benefits and didn’t know he should report these changes.

Ighavongbe pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates Court and was sentenced on March 7 to repay back all the council tax support of £2,529.35 as well as £575 prosecution costs and victim surcharge of £85. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Councillor Neil Reddin, chairman of Bromley’s audit committee, said: “It is important that we take such action to send out a clear and unequivocal message that fraud committed by cheats will not be tolerated here in Bromley.

“Those who claim for support they are not entitled to are committing fraud that represents a financial loss to Bromley Council and wastes public funds that are meant for those in genuine need. We will indeed prosecute those who try to get away with it.”