Brother and sister claimed to be a couple to obtain a council house in Dagenham

A brother and sister have been given a suspended jail sentence for pretending to be a couple to obtain a council home in Dagenham.

Rachelle Barritt and Aaron Clark, both from Norfolk, claimed to be a family in need to dupe Barking and Dagenham Council into giving them the two-bedroom house in Alibon Road.

Barritt continued to reside with her partner and children in Norfolk while her brother lived in the house.

Last week the pair were given a 10-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty at Barkingside Magistrates Court for fraudulently claiming a council house.

Barritt was ordered to wear an electronic tag for three months and Clark must do 100 hours of community work.

Both must also pay council costs of £465.

Councillor Dominic Twomey, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “Thanks to our diligent investigations team we were able to uncover their deceit and we are now able to hand over the property to a local family in need.”