A former Southall councilor, who falsely claimed more than £45,000 in benefits over seven years, was given a 10 month sentence suspended for two years.

Joginder Saroe, who represented Labour for Dormers Wells, pleaded guilty to eight charges of false accounting over housing benefit, income support and Council Tax at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday.

When his market stall business collapsed in 1994, he started to claim income support. In 1998 he started to rent out one of his properties in Glamorgan, Wales and became ineligible for claiming benefit.

The garage-showroom was leased out for £10,000 per annum and the flat above it was rented out for £250 per week. His excuse for not notifying the council was that he was not making any profit.

He was also claiming disability allowance. The local press caught him using the exclusive David Lloyd gym and investigations into his activities started.

He was also seen driving an expensive Mercedes with a personalised number plate.

Saroe, we are told led a blameless life up to this point and has testimonials from members of the community.

Apart from handing out a lenient suspended sentence, Judge Andrew MacDowall said that for “somebody of your age and position”, the “shame” and “a measure of publicity that will be a lasting punishment as well.”