Criminals Sentenced For Benefit Fraud

A man was convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court on Wednesday for claiming benefits he was not entitled to.

Raymond Crooks, 52, of Bentinck Street, Belfast was given three months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Employment Support Allowance totalling £173.

Also in court in Belfast, a woman was convicted at the Crown Court yesterday for claiming benefits she was not entitled to.

Rosemary Biggerstaff, 59, of Annadale Flats, Belfast claimed Income Support, Housing Benefit and Employment Support Allowance totalling £20,238 while failing to declare employment. She was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for three years.

Elsewhere, a man was convicted at Limavady Magistrates' court for claiming benefits he was not entitled to.

The court heard that Aron Bond, 33 of Ardcairn, Dungiven claimed Income Support and Rates Relief totalling £2,053 while failing to declare capital.

He was fined £200 and ordered to pay court costs of £37.

All the criminals will also have to repay any money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Earlier this week, five other people were convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to, as detailed on Fraudsters Convicted yesterday.

(BMcC/GK)