07/04/2011

Benefit Fraudsters Given Prison Terms

Two people have been handed down prison sentences for separate cases of benefit fraud.

A woman was convicted at Dungannon Magistrates' court earlier this week for claiming benefits she was not entitled to.

She is Mary Campbell, 52, of Loughview Gardens, Coalisland, Co Tyrone.

She claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £41,273 while failing to declare she was working.

She was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Campbell will also have to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

In Co Antrim, a man was convicted at Belfast Crown court for also claiming benefits he was not entitled to.

Kevin Cosgrove, 38, of Helen's Wood Court, Dunmurry claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £42,247 while failing to declare capital.

He was given 15 months imprisonment suspended for three years.

He will also have to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

(BMcC/Gk)

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