Three convicted of benefit fraud at Craigavon Court

Three people were convicted at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court yesterday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

A Craigavon woman (57) claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £17,050 while failing to declare capital. She was given four months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £43.

A woman (40) from Portadown claimed Income Support totalling £3,348 while failing to declare capital. She was given a £400 fine and ordered to pay court costs of £28.

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

A Lurgan man (62) claimed Rates Rebate, Pension Credit and Income Support totalling £7,380 while failing to declare capital. He was given a £400 fine and ordered to pay court costs of £40.

He has repaid the money he wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.