Four convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast Court

Four people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ Court yesterday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to

A woman was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £37 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Rates Relief totalling £2,650.

Another woman was fined £250 and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £2,940.

A man was given 150 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for duplicate encashment of Job Seekers Allowance and Income Support totalling £493. Mr Johnston is also required to repay the money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

A third woman was given a 12 month conditional discharge for wrongful encashment of Income support totalling £233. Ms Berry is also required to repay the money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.