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 Belfast man (51) was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £40 for exaggerated disability while claiming Disability Living Allowance totalling £8,350.

A woman (51) from Ballyclare was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £46 for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support and Rates Relief totalling £5,798.

A Belfast woman (47) was fined £250 and given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £46 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £3,088.

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