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13 February 2008 - Eleven benefit fraudsters convicted at Belfast court

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

John Thompson (28), of Farringdon Gardens, Belfast, was given a one month prison sentence suspended for two years for wrongfully cashing Income Support cheques to the value of £233.00. He will also have to pay court costs of £44.00.

Patrick Flannery (51), of South Link, Belfast, was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £22.00 for wrongfully claiming Incapacity Benefit of £152.00.

Brian Smith (46), of Columbia Street, Belfast, claimed Income Support totalling £1,192 while failing to declare he was working full time. He was fined £150.00 and ordered to pay court costs of £37.00.

Brendan McKernan (40), of Commedagh Drive, Belfast, claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support to the value of £2,313 while working. He was fined £300.00 and ordered to pay court costs of £37.00.

Jacqueline McConnell (34), of Rossnareen Road, Belfast, was given a two year conditional discharge and will have to pay court costs of £28.00 for claiming Income Support of £2,511 while working.

Graham Jellie (28), of Monarch Parade, Belfast, was fined £300.00 and ordered to pay court costs of £34.00 for claiming Income Support of £1,770 while working full time.

Ida Clarke (40), of Summer Street, Belfast, had received Income Support to the value of £3,232 while failing to disclose her savings. She was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £31.00.

Catherine Rock (38), of Cranbrook Court, Belfast claimed Income Support of £2,525 while working full time. She was put on probation for six months and ordered to pay court costs of £40.00.

Martin O’Hara (42), of Gortnamona Way, Belfast was given a three month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £43.00 for claiming Jobseekers Allowance of £993.00 while working.

Patrick McCrory (62), of Riverdale Park, Belfast, claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £18,165 while failing to declare he was in receipt of an occupational pension. He was put on probation for twelve months and ordered to pay court costs of £37.00.

Peter Patterson (49), of Divis Drive, Belfast, claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance of £6,062 while failing to disclose his capital. He was given a two year conditional discharge, fined £200.00 and will have to pay court costs of £56.00.

All eleven people will have to repay the money they wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

This brings to 53 the number of successful convictions so far in 2008.


Department for Social Development News