16/02/2011

Benefit Frauds Face Court Sanctions

Fraudsters are being made to pay the price for claiming a variety of benefits they were not entitled to.

A total of 14 people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court yesterday with Joanne McBride (35) of Portallo Street, Belfast claiming Income Support totalling £4,451 while failing to declare she was working. She was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £31.

Robert Craig (45) of Carlisle Terrace, Belfast claimed Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and Incapacity Benefit totalling £6,712 while failing to declare he was working. He was given a 12-month probation order and ordered to pay court costs of £110.

Cathie Ann Reid (27) of Rosebery Road, Belfast claimed Income Support totalling £299 while failing to declare she was working. She was fined £250 and ordered to pay court costs of £31.

Robert Harvey (29) of Wheatfield Crescent, Belfast claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £408 while failing to declare he was working. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £31.

Alexandria Burns (21) of St Agnes Drive, Belfast claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £2,037 while failing to declare she was working. She was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £31.

Noirin Campbell (22) of New Barnsley Gardens, Belfast claimed Income Support totalling £410 while failing to declare she was working. She was fined £250 and ordered to pay court costs of £37.

Claire Connolly (25) of Benview Park, Belfast claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £5,292 while failing to declare she was working. She was fined £450 and ordered to pay court costs of £37.

Annie Louise Lavery (40) of Sheridan Street, Belfast claimed Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £12,146 while failing to declare she was working. She was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £55.

Deborah McMahon (25) of Agincourt Avenue, Belfast claimed Income Support totalling £5,147 while failing to declare she was working. She was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £93.

Stacey McKeown (22) of Love Lane, Carrickfergus claimed Income Support and Carers Allowance totalling £4,337 while failing to declare she was working. She was fined £400 and ordered to pay court costs of £37.

Colin Hoey (27) of North Road, Carrickfergus claimed Housing Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance totalling £3,795 while failing to declare he was working. He was fined £400 and ordered to pay court costs of £40.

In Co Antrim, Christine McDowell (27) of Connor Road, Ballyclare claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £2,967 while failing to declare she was working. She was fined £400 and ordered to pay court costs of £43.

Sarah McManus (30) of Friars Wood, Newtownabbey claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £1,419 while failing to declare she was working. She was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £34 and Daniel McMahon (36) of Serpentine Parade, Newtownabbey claimed Carers Allowance and Jobseekers Allowance totalling £1,523 while failing to declare he was working. He was fined £400 and ordered to pay court costs of £34.

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

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