Ballymena woman convicted of benefit fraud

A woman was convicted at Ballymena Magistrates’ court yesterday for claiming benefits she was not entitled to.

She claimed Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £12,083 while failing to declare capital. She was given a conditional discharge imposed on each charge for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £85.

She will also have to repay the money she wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

This brings to 100 the total number of successful prosecutions this year.