A man who fraudulently claimed more than £48,000 in housing and council tax benefit for homes in Redbridge and Newham has been sentenced to six months in prison.

Thomas Amonoo, 66, of Grove Crescent Road, Stratford, was also ordered to pay an £100 victim surcharge at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 27.

He initially denied three counts of making a false statement with intent to obtain benefits but changed his plea to guilty.

A spokesman for Redbridge Council said Amonoo had swindled the money from them and Newham Council while claiming for addresses in Redbridge from 2008 to 2009 and in Newham between June 2009 and June 2010.

The two authorities started a joint investigation after allegations that Amonoo owned property in the UK and abroad as well as money in a bank account, disqualifying him from the benefits.

Councillor Ian Bond, the cabinet member for resources said, the council “takes benefit fraud seriously.

He added: “People who try and fiddle the system are taking money needed for public services and for others in genuine need, and we will be taking action to recover the overpaid benefit in full.”