Banbridge Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man was convicted at Newry Magistrates’ Court recently for claiming benefits he was not entitled to.

Jamison Morrell (45) of Edenderry Park, Banbridge claimed Income Support and Rates totalling £3,932 while failing to declare capital. He was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £37.

Mr Morrell is also required to repay any outstanding money he wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Council Funds Arts Groups

Belfast City Council has agreed a £4.1 million funding package for more than 50 local arts groups, as part of a new three-year support plan.

Some 52 arts organisations across the city were successful in applying to the council`s Core Multi-Annual Funding stream, which will help support more than 400 jobs, 4,000 artists and 700 volunteers. The collective programme put together by the projects also will involve almost 100,000 participants and be seen by up to four million people during 2013/14 alone.

While Core Multi-Annual Funding is a new support mechanism, the allocations for the next three financial years are 27 per cent more than available through previous funding streams, and the council has increased the number of organisations receiving core funding more than threefold, from 16 in previous years to more than 50 over the next three years.

Dundonald Man Convicted Of Fisheries Offences

David Wilkinson from Millars Drive Dundonald has been found guilty of fisheries offences in Downpatrick Court.

Mr Wilkinson was convicted under the Fisheries Act 1966 (and amendments) of fishing without a licence under Section 41(1) and Section 164 for trespass on a several fishery.

The Dundonald man was ordered to pay a fine of £100 and total costs of £100.

(GK)