Five convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast court

Five people have been convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

A Belfast man claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £103 while failing to declare he was working. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay court costs of £31.

A Newtownabbey man claimed Income Support and Housing benefit totalling £5,499 while failing to declare employment. He was given 120 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £86.

Another Belfast man was given a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay court costs of £44 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £491.

A Belfast woman was fined £100 and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £180.

Another Belfast woman claimed Disability Living Allowance totalling £7,136 while exaggerating incapacity. She was fined £500 and ordered to pay court costs of £64.

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