Convicted Benefit Fraudsters 'Still Unnamed'

A Belfast court has ordered benefit fraudsters to repay outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency and imposed fines on the guilty people.

However, the Department of Social Development (DSD), is still failing to 'name and shame' the guilty on their own official website, using only phrases such as 'A Belfast woman was found guilty….' while still supplying the names and address details to individual media instead.

DSD said their 'robust' policy of prosecution helped see the convictions at Belfast Magistrates' Court this week of seven people claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

On the 'name and shame' issue, a spokesperson for DSD recently told www.4ni.co.uk: "The content of the Department's website is continually reviewed and updated.

"Increasingly the website is focusing on the strategic messages that we wish to communicate about the work of the Department."

The statement continued: "Although the personal details of individuals convicted of benefit fraud are not put on the website, details are issued to the local media by way of press releases.

"In addition, there are regular bulletins on the website about the Department's success in tackling social security benefit fraud."

The senior Press officer also said that the Minister - then the SDLP's Alex Attwood - would "consider this matter further" which has not resulted in any review.

The new Minister, the DUP's Nelson McCausland (pictured) has since been asked for his views on the issue on the non-reporting of the guilty on the website.

Guilty As Charged

Those found guilty this week included Laura O'Neill (27) of Rosebank Court, Belfast was fined £250 and ordered to pay court costs of £40 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £4,856.

Michael Ashbridge (28) of Ebor Parade, Belfast was also fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £31 for failing to declare employment while claiming Housing Benefit totalling £369.

Robert Keenan (25) of Ashleigh Park, Carrickfergus was given 75 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Social Fund totalling £500.

Alan Dougan (29) of Rainey Way, Belfast was given 220 hours community service ordered to pay court costs of £25 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £655.

Brendan Campbell (24) of Ard Na Va Road, Belfast was given 150 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Incapacity Benefit totalling £199.

Desmond Brown (22) of Clandeboye Street, Belfast was given 120 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Social Fund totalling £402.

Finally, Jacqueline McCrea (45) of Glenbawn Avenue, Belfast was fined £600 and ordered to pay court costs of £40 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support, Housing Benefit and Carers Allowance totalling £11,921.

The DSD spokesman concluded: "Our Department has a robust anti-fraud strategy in place.

"This is working, with the levels of fraud reducing from £60.9m (1.88% of expenditure) in 2001 to £17.2m (0.4% of expenditure) in 2009.

"The Social Security Agency's efforts in investigating and sanctioning individuals who have committed benefit fraud have also proved successful with the number of sanctions imposed rising from 393 in 2004/2005 to 982 in 2009/2010".

See: Stormont 'Protecting Fraudsters Identities'

(BMcC/GK)