Man avoids jail after illegally subletting Newham council property

Henderson will also have to pay a £4,313 unlawful profit order (Pic-Google Maps)

A man has been given a suspended prison sentence for illegally subletting a council property in Newham.  

Emille Henderson sublet his council property whilst owning and living in a house elsewhere, depriving a local family of the accommodation. 

He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown court on November 22 for two counts of unlawful subletting, he was sentenced to eight months suspended for two years. 

Henderson will also have to pay a £4,313 unlawful profit order as well as £500 towards Newham Council’s costs. 

The council began its investigation into Mr Henderson in 2018, he originally applied for council accommodation in 1998 before purchasing a property in West Thurrock where he lived with his family. 

He failed to alert the council that he had moved out of the property and it was now being occupied by someone else who was paying rent to Mr Henderson.

In 2017 he moved again, this time to Watford, at this time he was still subletting the council property. 

He was made to return the keys to the property in March 2020 when his contract was terminated. 

The house is now lived in by a previously homeless family.  

Councillor Shaban Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Housing Services said: “Henderson has deprived the council of much-needed social housing and contributed towards homelessness. We’re pleased that the court has made a custodial sentence and will recover income illegally derived from this fraud.

“This case sends a very clear message that whoever you are, you cannot expect to get away with fraud and deprive a deserving family of a safe and secure home.

“Our housing fraud team have a number of resources and years of professional expertise. The team carry out detailed investigations that often lead to charges and court action. Recovered homes are returned to the housing stock. I would encourage anyone who suspects housing fraud may be taking place to think about those homeless families denied a home, and to come forward in confidence.”

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