A benefits cheat has been jailed for falsely claiming thousands of pounds in housing and council tax benefits.

Mohinder Singh Gill, 52, of Quaker Lane, Southall, was sentenced to six months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 5 September 2008.

At an earlier hearing Gill admitted to falsely claiming benefits for five and a half years while failing to declare a property he owned on Uxbridge Road and thereby swindling the Council out of nearly £29,000.

Councillor David Scott, Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, said: "The Council loses thousands of pounds to people making fraudulent claims, but this is far from being a victimless crime."

"As part of our commitment to delivering value for money services we are committed to taking tough action against these criminals who are cheating all honest council tax payers."

"I hope this will send a clear warning to others that we will investigate and prosecute benefits cheats."

Gill has now sold the £340,000 property and a confiscation hearing will take place during the next few months where the Council will apply to reclaim the money.