A fraudster has been jailed after claiming more than £55,000 in housing benefits.

Petrol station attendant Abdul Murshid, was jailed after claiming £900 per month in housing benefit from Harrow Borough Council over six years.

The father-of-four admitted the four counts of fraud and was sentenced to 11 weeks in prison. The councils says it is now looking to recoup the money.

Cabinet member for finance Councillor Sachin Shah said: “People defrauding the benefit system take attention away from its real purpose. That purpose is to provide a vital safety net that catches people when they need it the most.

“A jail term sends a signal of just how seriously the courts take benefit fraud – it is not a harmless paperwork fiddle.

“We are going to pursue the defendant to recover money which belongs to the people of Harrow.”

The case is one of the last to be investigated by Harrow Borough Council directly.

As from October 1, all housing benefit frauds will be investigated centrally by the Department for Work and Pensions.