A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of a former Bournemouth councillor over allegations that she dishonestly claimed benefits while she was a serving member.

In February 2013 the Daily Echo reported that Anniina Davie, 37, who represented Winton East, had gone to ground, possibly returning to her native Finland.

Phone calls and emails from the Echo were not being answered and she was not turning up to council meetings.

Later that year she resigned the seat that she won in 2011, citing health grounds as the reason.

Now, Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court has issued a warrant for her arrest over two charges relating to allegations that she dishonestly claimed job seekers’ allowance and employment support allowance.

On Friday the warrant, which was issued at a hearing on April 2, was still outstanding, the court confirmed to the Echo.

The first charge is alleged to have happened on September 19, 2012, while the second is dated January 18, 2012.

Davie, whose address is given as Lieto, Finland, on the charge sheet, was entitled to a basic allowance of £9,290.60 while she was a councillor, alongside an extra £1,764 for her role on the licensing board.

The court case was brought by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Tanya Coulter, service director for legal and democratic services at the council, said: “The council is aware that proceedings have been brought by the Department for Work and Pensions. As this is an ongoing matter before the courts it would be inappropriate for the council to comment at this stage, to avoid any potential prejudice to the proceedings.”

At the by-election held last November, Davie was replaced by Pat Oakley, who retained the seat for the Conservatives.