Jonathan Lewis (49) suffered a bad break as he walked down a private drive after leaving a party in the early hours of the morning at a friend's house in Dogsthorpe Road, Peterborough, on August 9, last year.

He had to have an operation on the fracture and was bedridden for several days, Peterborough Crown Court heard.

But Lewis decided to put a claim in to Peterborough City Council for damages – which could have cost up to £22,000 in legal costs and compensation.

The former Metropolitan Police officer told the city council he had stumbled over some debris next to a lamppost on the public pavement. But witnesses saw the stricken man laying on the drive after suffering the break.

Nine days after the fall he wrote a letter to Peterborough City Council, reporting the debris next to the lamppost.

In the letter he said he hoped that the matter would be resolved, and that the council considered suitable compensation and damages.

He also contacted a firm of "no win no fee" solicitors after seeing a television advert, and the firm also wrote to the council asking about compensation.

Lewis, of Godsey Lane, Market Deeping, denied fraud but was convicted by a jury after a trial. He was jailed for nine months.

Defending, Martin Knight said Lewis still denied the charge. He added that the cost of the claim would have been about £15,000.

Judge Sean Enright told him: "You had had too much to drink and, as you left, you tripped and fell breaking your ankle. You later dreamed up a story that you had tripped over an uneven paving stone in the street and tried to make a claim to Peterborough City Council.

"This was a calculated plan and your injuries were serious. It's clear you intended to make a claim for loss of earnings. The damages you sought to get would have been substantial and the loss to the public purse would have been at least £15,000."

After the hearing, fraud and investigation manager for the city council Diane Baker said: "We welcome today's sentence which should serve as a stark warning to anyone who is considering committing any kind of fraud against Peterborough City Council. We will take action against anyone who feels it is appropriate to deprive the residents of Peterborough in this way."

nAnyone wishing to report suspicions of fraud can call the city council's hotline in confidence on 01733 452250, or e-mail fraud @peterborough.gov.uk