A councillor who persistently tried to cheat his own local authority out of benefit money had substantially fallen from grace, a court heard.

Tabasum Aslam, a former Liberal-Democrat councillor for Heckmondwike, was convicted of four offences of dishonesty against Kirklees Council at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

Kirklees Council is also applying for legal costs of £10,131.10 against Aslam.

During a week-long trial Aslam, 33, denied four offences of making a false representation for housing or council tax benefits between November 2003 and April 2005.

Prosecutor John Worroll told the jury Aslam stated on forms that his mother, Mahmooda Khanum, rented her home in Lobley Street, Heckmondwike, from a private landlord when actually it was owned in the names of herself, Aslam and his brother.

Aslam told the court he was not trying to deceive anyone, and filled in the benefit forms for his mother because she wasn't happy writing in English.

The court heard Aslam claimed his mother was paying £30 a week rent to the landlord in Batley.

Aslam's barrister, Richard Clews, said the claims began genuinely and the offences were not nearly serious enough for a prison sentence.

"They don't cross the custody threshold," he said.

Mr Clews said Aslam and his brother intended to pay the mortgage on their mother's home but the agreement didn't work out.

When Aslam married and his wife wanted a separate home for the couple and he was put in difficulty having to pay two mortgages.

The judge, Recorder Christopher Williams, told Aslam, who now lives in London, he was a very intelligent and articulate man.

The judge adjourned sentencing for the preparation of a probation service report.

Aslam was granted bail until the next hearing on August 6.