A former heavyweight boxer pleaded guilty to housing benefit and council tax fraud of more than £40,000 following an Ealing Council investigation.

Winston Allen, 49, of Elthorne Avenue, Hanwell, who fought the likes of Frank Bruno during his boxing career, was overpayed £41,030.00 from 15 May 1995 to 1 December 2002 by the Council.

Allen admitted to nine matters of dishonesty after claiming he was a single person living in the Elthorne Road property he was privately renting. He actulally owned the property and was not entitled to receive £110 a week Housing Benefit.

Allen has so far repaid £18,993.90 towards the amount he fraudulently obtained. He was due to be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday 31 August 2007, but this has been adjourned to 5th October 2007.

Councillor David Scott, Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, said: “This Council will continue to pursue benefit fraudsters who are cheating their fellow residents and tax payers. This type of fraud deprives the entire community as the money could have been spent on public services like tackling street crime, improving schools or cleaning our streets."

If you think someone is committing benefit fraud it is important that you report it. The National Benefit Fraud Hotline is a confidential way to report someone you suspect of committing benefit fraud. Call 0800 328 6453.