A couple who invented identities and claimed she was unemployed and single to claim benefits have been jailed.

Aliyah Choudhry, of Mason Close, was in fact living with her husband Mohammed Choudhry at their home in Hampton and had two jobs.

The pair were found guilty of benefit fraud after creating multiple identities that resulted in council tax and housing benefit claims of more than £30,000.

Along with officers from the Department for Work and Pensions, officers from Richmond Council’s audit and investigation team carried out an investigation into Mrs Choudhry, which revealed the extent of the fraud.

During the investigation it was discovered that Mrs Choudhry and her husband had several false identities, which they had used to claim benefits both in Richmond and a neighbouring borough.

Mrs Choudhry has had two full time jobs since 2007 and was overpaid £23,468.06 of housing benefit and £6,861.76 of council tax benefit.

Mr and Mrs Choudhry pleaded guilty to all charges at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, March 1, where Mrs Choudhry was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment and Mr Choudhry for 16 months’ imprisonment.

Richmond Council’s deputy leader, Councillor Geoffrey Samuel, said: “People like this who hijack the system to line their own pockets only deprive honest council tax payers who have paid their bills expecting the money to be spent on important services.

“I cannot underline enough my anger and disgust at the very small number of people in this borough who think the rules do not apply to them. We will always seek to prosecute those who think they can amass pots of cash while others, who are in genuine need, have to scrimp and save. Equally, we will do our utmost to recover the amounts which have been falsely claimed.”