Two sets of housemates have been found guilty of housing and council tax benefit fraud.

Alina Motac, 25, and Alexandru Lordachita, 27, falsely claimed £16,228 while sharing a home in Brierley Road, Leytonstone, between December 2010 and August 2012.

Motac, who is currently wanted by police for failing to attend court, was convicted in his absence of dishonestly making a false representation.

Lordachita admitted the same charge at Thames Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,020.

Another pair of housemates who lived in Lawton Road, Leyton, have also been found guilty in connection with housing and council tax benefit fraud.

Rebecca Marius, a 33-year-old accountant, pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false representation, while Oghenru Marius, a 33-year-old trainee teacher, pleaded guilty to dishonestly allowing Ms marius to make false representations.

Both were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £565.

The convictions related to benefits of £10,900 claimed between May 2010 and April 2012.