On 12 September 2007, the defendant was found guilty of failing to report his work to the Social Security Agency. The defendant had been claiming benefits on the basis that he was unfit for work while he was in fact working as a caretaker at Oldpark Presbyterian Church.
This resulted in an overpayment of social security benefit of £47,202.34 covering the period 1 January 2001 to 30 November 2004. The defendant was sentenced to 240 hours community service.
At today’s confiscation hearing, the Court agreed that the defendant had benefitted from his criminal conduct to the amount of £51,370.95. The Court granted a Confiscation Order in amount of £50,838.61 to allow for repayments already made by the defendant to the Department.
Notes to Editors:
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