Five women convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast court

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

A Newtownabbey woman was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £22 court costs for wrongful encashment of Income Support and Social Fund totalling £273.

A  Belfast woman was given a £200 fine and ordered to pay £74 court costs for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £2,213.

Another  Belfast woman was given a £250 fine and ordered to pay £104 court costs for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support and Rates Rebate totalling £2,281.

Another Belfast woman was given a £150 fine and ordered to pay £62 court costs for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support totalling £2,429.

Another Belfast woman was given 100 hours community service and ordered to pay £86 court costs for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Incapacity Benefit totalling £14,158.

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