A benefits cheat who lied that she was a struggling single parent but sublet her council-funded flat and made £64,000 has walked free from court.
Kenyan-born Gladys O'Brien was secretly living with her husband but then raked in money from tenants who rented her flat near Tooting Broadway during a five year stint.
The 44-year-old also claimed housing benefit from the property to cover rent to the real landlord, who was living in Hackney.
Prosecutor Miss Amanda McCabe told the court: 'She was not entitled to that benefit because she was living with her partner at another address.'
O'Brien submitted the housing benefit claim in January 2007 after claiming she was a 'single parent on a low income' but three years later began to sub-let the flat while living with her husband.
The mother-of-two married in 1997 but left her husband and successfully applied for a non-molestation order before reconciling and moving back in.
It was in March last year at Jobcentre interview where she admitted to having a husband.
The court heard: 'She did deny renting out the flat in Gilbey Road and receiving rental payments for it since 2010 and continuing to sign new tenancy agreements with the landlord while sub-letting it. She accepted her actions were selfish.'
O'Brien initially repaid Wandsworth Council £1,777 per month until October 30, last year, but that has dropped to £50 per week since February 2 after losing her job.
'She informed the benefits agency she became unemployed.'
O'Brien, who now lives in Bournemouth, was given an eight month sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.
She pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances and was ordered to complete 120 hours of community services. She is also subject to Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings to recover the money.
Source with pictures
Kenyan-born Gladys O'Brien was secretly living with her husband but then raked in money from tenants who rented her flat near Tooting Broadway during a five year stint.
The 44-year-old also claimed housing benefit from the property to cover rent to the real landlord, who was living in Hackney.
Prosecutor Miss Amanda McCabe told the court: 'She was not entitled to that benefit because she was living with her partner at another address.'
O'Brien submitted the housing benefit claim in January 2007 after claiming she was a 'single parent on a low income' but three years later began to sub-let the flat while living with her husband.
The mother-of-two married in 1997 but left her husband and successfully applied for a non-molestation order before reconciling and moving back in.
It was in March last year at Jobcentre interview where she admitted to having a husband.
The court heard: 'She did deny renting out the flat in Gilbey Road and receiving rental payments for it since 2010 and continuing to sign new tenancy agreements with the landlord while sub-letting it. She accepted her actions were selfish.'
O'Brien initially repaid Wandsworth Council £1,777 per month until October 30, last year, but that has dropped to £50 per week since February 2 after losing her job.
'She informed the benefits agency she became unemployed.'
O'Brien, who now lives in Bournemouth, was given an eight month sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.
She pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances and was ordered to complete 120 hours of community services. She is also subject to Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings to recover the money.
Source with pictures