Five convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast court

Five people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ court yesterday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

A Belfast man (24) was fined £250 and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £356.

A Belfast woman (59) claimed Income Support totalling £9,006 while failing to declare capital. She was fined £250 and ordered to pay court costs of £55.

Another Belfast woman (56) claimed Income Support, Housing Benefit and Carers’ Allowance totalling £4,248 while failing to declare employment. She was fined £350 and ordered to pay court costs of £40.

A third Belfast woman (25) claimed Incapacity Benefit and Income Support totalling £16,587 while failing to declare employment. She was given 150 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £58.

A second Belfast man (34) claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £5,603 while failing to declare employment. He was given 100 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £31.

All are also required to repay the money they wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.