Twelve Convicted of Benefit Fraud at Belfast Court

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

A woman was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £37 for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support totalling £10,642.

Another woman was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £61 for failure to declare employment while claiming Incapacity Benefit and Income Support totalling £5,123.

A third woman was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £46 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £907.

A man was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £40 for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support totalling £8,697.

A fourth woman was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £34 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £3,167.

A fifth woman was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £31 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £9,844.

A sixth woman was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £37 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £4,840.

A seventh woman was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £34 for failure to declare employment while claiming Incapacity Benefit totalling £6,513.

An eighth woman was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £61 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support, Housing Benefit and Carers Allowance totalling £3,991.

A ninth woman was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £31 for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support totalling £4,311.

A tenth woman was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £34 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £8,912.

A second man was given 100 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £40 for failure to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £5,596.

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