LANDLORD Naizali Mohmed carried on banking housing benefits even though his tenants moved out years ago.

Today he faces paying back £32,000 he falsely claimed from the taxpayer after being given six months to hand it back or face 16 months behind bars.

The 41-year-old also received a 12-week prison sentence suspended for two years and a curfew from 9pm to 6am each day.

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ralls said: “The idea that people can obtain money, public money, particularly nowadays, when the public money is so scarce, is something that will not be tolerated.”

The fraud came to light after a council spot check in December 2008 at two of Mohmed’s properties in Lodge Road, Portswood, Southampton.

It found one tenant moved out in 2005 and one in 2006 but claims continued to be paid into Mohmed’s bank.

Mohmed, of Spear Road, Portswood, pleaded guilty to failing to notify the council of the change in circumstances.

Mark Florida-James, in mitigation, said his client was willing to pay back all the money and was intending to no longer accept tenants claiming housing benefit.

The court heard that Mohmed runs Cavendish Homes with his brother after inheriting the property empire.

The company is thought to own dozens of homes in Southampton and the surrounding area.