Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Paul McCusker claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £8,596 while failing to declare employment. He was sentenced to four months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Mr McCusker is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

NIFHA Selects New Deputy Chief Executive

The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) has selected a new deputy Chief Executive.

Paul Armstrong will take up the role today, 01 November.

He has worked for several housing associations before joining NIFHA as Practice Officer in 2015.

Mr Armstrong will lead on welfare reform, supporting people, housing management issues and oversee our research and communications functions.

NIFHA Chief Executive Ben Collins said: "Paul's passion for and knowledge of the sector came through very strongly during the recruitment process. I am pleased to announce his appointment and wish him all the very best in his new post."

Alliance Condemns Holylands Vandalism

Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw has slammed vandalism in the Holylands area, condemning those responsible as showing no respect for those living there.

Mattresses were set on fire, cars were damaged and broken bottles were littered in the street on Halloween night.

Ms Bradshaw said: "It is utterly unacceptable that those who have chosen to make this part of South Belfast home should have to put up with such deliberate attacks on their property and living space.

"The regularity with which some people feel they may engage in vandalism is indicative of a failure to control the situation adequately. I have spoken to the PSNI and to Queen's University to seek assurances that more resources will be allocated to controlling the situation over the next few hours, and that those responsible will face full force of the law."

(CD)