A Bromley resident has pleaded guilty to council tax fraud following an anonymous tip-off.

Kelly Lawler, 36, of Plaistow Grove, admitted one charge of falsely claiming a Single Person’s Discount (SDP) even though she was married and living with her husband.

She had continued claiming on her council tax despite marrying in August 2011 and appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on March 12 charged with fraud.

The discovery came after information came from an unknown source to the Internal Audit and Anti-Fraud team, with the Ms Lawler being found to have obtained £535 wrongly over 16 months.

Audit committee chairman Councillor Neil Reddin said: “We take all fraud committed against this council seriously including those claiming for SPD who are not entitled to it.

“We regularly match Single Person Discount data to other sources, so the message is: if you are not entitled to it, don’t claim it, as you will be prosecuted.

“These are public funds meant for those in genuine need. I would like to thank the officers who investigated this case.”

Ms Lawler, who was said to have been of “previous good character”, was given an 18-month conditional discharge.

Costs of £550 were awarded to Bromley Council while she has been ordered to pay back the £535 within 28 days.