A father-of-two has been sentenced to eight weeks in jail with immediate effect for fraudently claiming £15,000 in housing and council tax benefit and Employment Support Allowance.

Omar Ahmed, of Kenneth Road, Chadwell Heath, was given his sentence at Redbridge Magistrates on December 16 after pleading guilty to two counts of dishonestly making a false statement, two counts of failing to declare a change of circumstance and one count under the Fraud Act.

He failed to inform authoritites that he started working at Transport for London in April 2012 and made false statements to the Department of Work and Pensions, stating that he was not fit to work.

Ahmed also told the council that he had to borrow money to pay his rent and continued making false statements when he applied for free school meals, stating he was not in paid employment.

But a data match from the national fraud initiative matched the claims he was making for housing benefit with payroll records from Transport for London.

Cllr Rocky Gill, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said: “It is also very important to declare any change in circumstances. Failure to do so is a criminal offence, and we have a duty to investigate.

“Now this father has let down his two children and his pregnant wife during this festive period.

“We are not afraid to take action which could lead to a prosecution, as when you commit fraud, you defraud our residents from essential services.”