A WOMAN who illegally sublet her housing association flat while living abroad has been forced to pay back nearly £10,000 she made in profit.

Esperance Hakizimana had been renting out her flat in Rose Hill since April 2014 while living in the Netherlands.

The 42-year-old was caught after an investigation by Oxford City Council and Greensquare Housing Association.

The council brought a prosecution for unlawful letting of social housing and last Tuesday at Oxford Magistrates' Court she pleaded guilty.

Hakizimana was fined £500 and ordered to pay back unlawful profit of £9,768.68, with £3000 of it to be paid within seven days. She was also ordered to pay costs of £480.

City council board member for finance Ed Turner said: "This is another example that shows the effectiveness of the Fraud Investigation Team in clamping down on fraudulent subletting.

"By working with Greensquare Housing, the team uncovered and prosecuted the person who has committed this fraud, and who has now paid the price. This also means that a much-needed social home can be re-let to someone who is really entitled to it. Social housing tenants need to remember and adhere to rules on sub-letting."

Since its creation in 2015 the fraud investigation team has prevented fraud losses and generated revenue of more than £12m for the council.