'Despicable' ex-council officer's £40k housing con

A former council employee has been given a suspended prison sentence after committing nearly £40,000 in housing related fraud.

Investigators said Kanyin Jolaosho, formerly of Carroll Drive, Bedford, manipulated council systems and processes to carry out the £39,812 fraud whilst working as a senior housing officer for Central Bedfordshire Council.

Jolaosho was sentenced at Luton Crown Court to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay costs of £3,850.

John Baker, a councillor who is the executive member for finance, said: "The council takes any fraud extremely seriously."

He added: "These offences represented a serious abuse of position and a breach of the trust placed in council staff."

The judge described Jolaosho's actions as "despicable".

Jolaosho received 200 hours unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The case was referred to the council's fraud team after staff raised concerns.

Investigators found Jolaosho had diverted tenants' rent payments and deposits and had set up a fake landlord incentive payment.

Following the investigation, the council said it had conducted a "rigorous review of processes put in place to prevent fraud".

The authority is trying to reclaim the stolen funds.

Baker added: "Swift action was taken to ensure no tenant or landlord was out of pocket and funds were repaid."

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