A landlord who continued to spend council cash meant for his tenant's rent even though they'd left the country has been forced to face the music.

Luton Borough Council's crack fraud investigators discovered that Abdul Rauf had failed to declare his tenant at accommodation in Mossdale Court left the country in April last year and was unlikely to return.

That meant he continued to receive benefits totalling £1,417.60 to which he was not entitled.

Mr Rauf, 30, of Sherwood Road, Luton was fined £500 and ordered to pay £100 towards the council's costs after admitting the offence in court.

Councillor Anna Perdersen, the Town Hall's executive member with responsibility for benefits, said: "Prosecutions of landlords who defraud the benefits system are rare.

"This case demonstrates our commitment to detecting and prosecuting fraud no matter who is committing the offences. Landlords who receive payments on behalf of benefit claimants have a duty to inform us of changes in their tenant's circumstances.

"If they withhold information they may well suffer the same fate as Mr Rauf."

The council will now take civil action to reclaim the dishonestly obtained benefit.

The council's fraud team actively seeks detailed information from the public about benefit fraudsters and encourages people to contact the fraud hotline in confidence on 0500 500 777 or e-mail fraud@luton.gov.uk

Landlords and tenants can check out the rules in our easy to read information factsheets available online at www.luton.gov.uk/factsheets, in council receptions or by calling 01582 510345.