A benefit cheat falsely claimed £14,000 through jobseeker’s allowance, income support and council tax benefits, despite having undeclared savings of £16,000.

Natalya Grigorovich failed to declare she had £16,000 tied up in a property while claiming for numerous benefits.

The 36-year-old, of Queens Road, Richmond, pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court last week.

She was given a nine-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay legal costs of £85 and received a £15 victim surcharge. She had already repaid the benefit overpayments.

Richmond Council’s cabinet member for resources and deputy leader, Councillor Geoffrey Samuel, said: “We will leave no stone unturned when it comes to weeding these parasites out and bringing them to justice.

“They need to be stopped and we have the resources and willpower to make sure this happens. A number of people feel that benefit fraudsters should receive a custodial sentence, regardless of how much they steal, and I’m sure many of our residents will agree.”

To report benefit fraud call the confidential whistle-blowing hotline on 0800 3899795, the benefit fraud hotline on 020 8891 7839 or report the fraud online at richmond.gov.uk.