A former east London councillor has been warned he could face jail for a decade-long housing fraud that was uncovered while he was in office.

Muhammad Harun, 49, remained on the Tower Hamlets social housing list while owning a property within the borough and another in neighbouring Barking.

Harun, a solicitor, cost the council about £125,000 which could have been spent on housing vulnerable families for the duration of the con.

It only came to light seven months after he was elected as a Tower Hamlets councillor in May last year. He resigned his seat during an inquiry.

Harun admitted two offences of housing fraud last month and was told by a judge yesterday there were “no promises” he will be spared jail next month.

Snaresbrook crown court heard Harun had claimed assistance under the Homelessness Act 2002 after being evicted in 2006.

The next year he bought a house in Lancaster Avenue, Barking, for £230,000 while still registered in social housing in Tower Hamlets.

Judge English warned him he faces jail because of the length of time the fraud went on for and the number of housing claims he made.