Two women were convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ Court yesterday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Joanna Thompson (36), of Rosneath Gardens, Dundonald, claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £29,121 while failing to declare she was working. She was given an eighteen month prison sentence suspended for two years.
Isobel Hughes (45), of Norfolk Parade, Belfast, claimed Income Support totalling £25,207 while failing to declare she had excess capital. She was given a six month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
Both women are also required to repay the money they wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
This brings to 78 the total number of successful prosecutions this year.
