A woman was convicted at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court today for claiming benefits she was not entitled to.
Catherine Barrett (39) of Beaufort Walk, Newtownards claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £30,269 while failing to declare she was working full time. She was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
Mrs Barrett is also required to repay the money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
This brings to 319 the total number of successful prosecutions this year.
