Three convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast court

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

A man was fined £150 and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £131.

An other man claimed Incapacity Benefit totalling £2,190 while failing to declare employment. He was fined £150 and ordered to pay court costs of £43.

A third man claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £18,002 while failing to declare capital. He was given 200 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £46.

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

This brings to 83 the total number of successful prosecutions this year.