Six convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast court

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

A man was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £298.

A woman claimed Incapacity Benefit, Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £16,691 while failing to declare employment. She was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £46.

A second man claimed Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £20,806 while failing to declare his partner’s employment. He was given 375 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £80.

A third man claimed Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Housing Benefit totalling £2,850 while failing to declare employment. He was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £52.

A fourth man was given a 12 month probation order and ordered to pay court costs of £44 for duplicate encashment of Income Support totalling £76.

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

A second woman claimed Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance totalling £5,708 while failing to declare capital. She was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £46.

She has since repaid the money she wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

This brings to 49 the total number of successful prosecutions this year.