A COUPLE from Erith was fined £600 for housing benefit fraud.

Security guard Michael Worrall, aged 30, and his shop assistant wife Elaine, aged 31, who live in Apperfield Road, were prosecuted at Bexley Magistrates' Court on February 28 after they failed to declare a change in their circumstances.

The fines included £50 imposed on Mrs Warrall for breaching a conditional discharge for a similar housing benefit offence.

When the couple originally completed their housing benefit application they correctly declared the part-time work they were doing.

However, they failed to notify Bexley Council when Mr Worrall received a pay increase and Mrs Worrall increased her work hours.

Mrs Worrall was fined a further £250 and Mr Worral was fined £300.

They were also ordered to pay £200 each towards the council's prosecution costs.

The council vowed to pursue the recovery of the overpaid benefit.