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04/01/2012
Crackdown On Benefit Fraud Continues
In a sustained crackdown on benefit fraud Northern Ireland has saw a continued spate of arrests and fines handed out to those guilty of falsely claiming benefits.
Barry Toner,32, of University Street, Belfast was given a four-month prison sentence and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £324.
He will also have to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Meanwhile two men were convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ court on Tuesday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Thomas Moore, 29, of Ardmonagh Parade, Belfast was fined £400 and ordered to pay court costs of £44 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £207.
Dane Smyth, 48, of Colligan Street, Belfast claimed Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,257 while failing to declare employment. He was fined £450 and ordered to pay court costs of £37.
Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Elsewhere in County Fermanagh Christopher Masterson,21, of Kilmacormick Road, Enniskillen was given 180 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £229.
This news comes at a time when government is considering a more simplified welfare state. Before Christmas Welfare Reform Minister Lord Freud discussed the most radical changes to welfare for 60 years.
He said:"From 2013, we will introduce one benefit, a Universal Credit. It will combine jobseekers' allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit, working tax credit, in come support and employment support allowance. The system will be hugely simplified."
(LB)
Barry Toner,32, of University Street, Belfast was given a four-month prison sentence and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £324.
He will also have to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Meanwhile two men were convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ court on Tuesday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Thomas Moore, 29, of Ardmonagh Parade, Belfast was fined £400 and ordered to pay court costs of £44 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £207.
Dane Smyth, 48, of Colligan Street, Belfast claimed Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,257 while failing to declare employment. He was fined £450 and ordered to pay court costs of £37.
Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Elsewhere in County Fermanagh Christopher Masterson,21, of Kilmacormick Road, Enniskillen was given 180 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £229.
This news comes at a time when government is considering a more simplified welfare state. Before Christmas Welfare Reform Minister Lord Freud discussed the most radical changes to welfare for 60 years.
He said:"From 2013, we will introduce one benefit, a Universal Credit. It will combine jobseekers' allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit, working tax credit, in come support and employment support allowance. The system will be hugely simplified."
(LB)
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Dole Frauds Pay The Penalty
Seven people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' Court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to along with two others in Lisburn. Robert Lee (34) of Commedagh Drive, Belfast was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £302.
Dole Frauds Pay The Penalty
Seven people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' Court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to along with two others in Lisburn. Robert Lee (34) of Commedagh Drive, Belfast was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £302.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
