Tower Hamlets councillor to face Crown Court trial
A serving Tower Hamlets councillor accused of benefit fraud is to face a higher charge.
Shelina Akhtar, who represents Spitalfields and Banglatown ward, is accused of failing to disclose that she did not live at her address at Blackwall Way, Poplar while claiming housing and council tax benefits.
After an appearance at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (July 19), the charge now includes dishonesty in making the claims, which span over a period from November 2009 to September last year.
The case will now be heard at Crown Court.
The 32-year-old councillor sat in the dock with her sister Hazera Akhtar, 21, who faces similar charges, including dishonesty in failing to notify the local authorities of a change in circumstances.
You may also want to watch:
Hazera is charged with failing to disclose that she did not live at Glasshouse Fields in Limehouse, where she was registered to claim benefits.
Both women are also charged with fraud by false representation.
Most Read
- 1 Beer gardens reopening with face marks, sanitisers and cobblestones
- 2 Mayoral election 2021: how will candidates improve east London?
- 3 Jailed: drug dealer who rammed police with stolen car to escape
- 4 Mother and son taken to hospital during "severe" fire in Bow
- 5 Hundreds of customers descend on reopened retailers
- 6 Boxpark reopening in Shoreditch with face masks and Covid hygiene measures
- 7 New street market coming to Docklands is Will's passion
- 8 Here's why people stay longer in the East End despite the crime
- 9 East End pays tribute to Prince Philip
- 10 Housing protest at Shadwell's Watney Market over service charges hike
The sisters have been bailed to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15.
