A man who claimed housing benefit while earning more than £50,000 has been jailed for eight months.

Kouadio Williams, 43, fraudulently claimed £32,067 towards his rent while living in Charlton Road, Edmonton.

But suspicion fell on Williams after Enfield Council’s Counter Fraud Team received information from Milton Keynes Council proving he also owned a flat in Milton Keynes which was being rented out at £650 a month.

Williams, who went on to live in Ramsgill Court, in Heelands, Milton Keynes, was caught living on benefits with his wife and children while he was working for several employers, with one job attracting a wage of £50,000.

Williams pleaded not guilty to four charges of dishonestly failing to promptly notify Enfield Council of a change in circumstances but was found guilty and sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on May 23.

Cllr Andrew Stafford, Enfield Council's Cabinet member for finance and property said: “This fraud was committed not because of desperation but out of sheer greed.

“Kouadio Williams was in receipt of an income many people could only dream about, but still he felt the need to claim benefits. This is shameful and it is absolutely right the court should jail him for this disgraceful crime.

“Enfield Council always prosecutes benefit fraudsters to the full extent of the law, and we will do everything we can to seize any assets that Mr Williams has if we can to recoup our money.”

The property in Edmonton has been recovered by the Counter Fraud Team’s housing investigation officers and a tenant from the housing waiting list has been rehoused there.