AN ASPIRING teacher who continued to claim benefits from Oxford City Council despite living in London has been convicted of benefit fraud.

Anetta Hall, 31, was sentenced to a 12-month supervision order and ordered to attend a benefit offenders educational programme.

The course is designed to help criminals appreciate the effect of their crime on society and reduce their chances of reoffending.

The former Chillingworth Crescent resident pleaded not guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to declare to the city council that she moved out of her Oxford home in 2009.

But she was convicted at Oxford Crown Court on August 1.

She had moved to a new address in Ealing while training to be a teacher and illegally claimed more than £12,000 in housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Ed Turner, deputy leader of the city council, said: “We take benefit fraud very seriously and tough action will be taken against those who commit it.

“It is important people receive money they are entitled to, but those who exploit the system will be caught and punished.”

During sentencing on Friday, September 5 at Oxford Crown Court, Judge Pringle also ordered Hall to repay the benefits and £500 in costs.

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