A SINGLE mother who swindled �25,647 in benefits was sentenced to jail and booted out of her council home. But, council chiefs may have their work cut out to find Sindi Duma, who is believed to have fled abroad before the start of her trial at Harrow

A SINGLE mother who swindled �25,647 in benefits was sentenced to jail and booted out of her council home.

But, council chiefs may have their work cut out to find Sindi Duma, who is believed to have fled abroad before the start of her trial at Harrow Crown Court.

During her absence, the court heard the mother-of-two approached the council in 2001 claiming to be homeless and unemployed.

She was given a flat in Albert Road, Kilburn, where she began to milk the benefits system. Following a tip-off, investigators discovered she was actually living in Thamesmead, since 2004.

She was sentenced to nine months in jail for fraudulently claiming housing and council tax benefit. Brent Council then referred her case to Willesden County Court where she was evicted for running up rent arrears of �1,950.95

Cllr Muhammed Butt, the lead member for resources, said: "We are desperately short of council housing in Brent and we need to make sure it goes to those who really need it.

"Not only was this person claiming benefits she was not entitled to, she was stopping a vulnerable person from being housed.

"I applaud the court's decision to repossess the property and urge anyone who knows of fraudulent activity to get in touch with our investigation team."

If you know of someone committing benefit fraud in Brent, you can call the confidential hotline on 0800 937 777.