Five Convicted of Benefit Fraud at Belfast Court

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

A man was given a 100 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £230.

A woman was fined £350 and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £273.

Another man was given 100 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for failure to declare employment while claiming benefits.

Another woman was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £40 for failure to declare employment while claiming benefits.

A third woman was given 100 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £37 for failure to declare employment while claiming benefits.

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