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08/09/2011
Named And Shamed: Frauds Pay Penalty
A dozen people have been caught fiddling the benefits' system in Northern Ireland.
All have been identified on the Department of Social Development's (DSD) own website - a new development - and have had their details circulated to the local media in each of the areas concerned.
Four people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Danielle Boyd (19) of Virginia Way, Belfast was fined £300 ordered to pay court costs of £25 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance and Social Fund totalling £201.
John Johnston (38) of Colinbrook Drive, Dunmurry was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £73 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Job Seekers Allowance totalling £5,242.
Stuart Hall (34) of Sunningdale Gardens, Belfast was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £37 for failing to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,956.
Christine Bradley (47) of Monagh Drive, Belfast was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £37 for failing to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £7,963.
Elsewhere, eight people were also convicted at Craigavon Magistrates Court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Denis Fulton (57) of High Street, Gilford was fined £150 and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £163.
Brendan Douglas (29) of Ballyronan Park, Portadown was fined £125 and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance totalling £96.
Craig Steele (26) of Greenhill Park, Lurgan was fined £240 and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance totalling £312.
Dinah Boyle (30) of Union Street, Portadown was fined £250 and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance totalling £94.
Shauneen Judge (25) of Woodside Green, Portadown was given 120 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £102 for failing to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance totalling £94.
Paul Smith (25) of Enniskeen, Portadown was given three months imprisonment suspended for two years, fined £200 and ordered to pay court costs of £38 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £6,766.
Stephanie Roland (27) of Knockshane Meadows, Lurgan was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £138 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £902.
Judith Horner (28) of Redhill Road, Dromore was given 200 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £37 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £6,201.
All are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Naming and fully identifying the guilty on the DSD website is a recent development.
It follows a campaign by www.4NI.co.uk that successfully lobbied the DSD Minister, Nelson McCausland to change his Department's policy that previously restricted the full names and details to going to local media - and did not publish the information on the DSD and NI Executive pages.
See: 4NI Wins Fraudsters' Identity Battle
(BMcC/GK)
All have been identified on the Department of Social Development's (DSD) own website - a new development - and have had their details circulated to the local media in each of the areas concerned.
Four people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Danielle Boyd (19) of Virginia Way, Belfast was fined £300 ordered to pay court costs of £25 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance and Social Fund totalling £201.
John Johnston (38) of Colinbrook Drive, Dunmurry was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £73 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Job Seekers Allowance totalling £5,242.
Stuart Hall (34) of Sunningdale Gardens, Belfast was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £37 for failing to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,956.
Christine Bradley (47) of Monagh Drive, Belfast was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £37 for failing to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £7,963.
Elsewhere, eight people were also convicted at Craigavon Magistrates Court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Denis Fulton (57) of High Street, Gilford was fined £150 and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £163.
Brendan Douglas (29) of Ballyronan Park, Portadown was fined £125 and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance totalling £96.
Craig Steele (26) of Greenhill Park, Lurgan was fined £240 and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance totalling £312.
Dinah Boyle (30) of Union Street, Portadown was fined £250 and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance totalling £94.
Shauneen Judge (25) of Woodside Green, Portadown was given 120 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £102 for failing to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance totalling £94.
Paul Smith (25) of Enniskeen, Portadown was given three months imprisonment suspended for two years, fined £200 and ordered to pay court costs of £38 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £6,766.
Stephanie Roland (27) of Knockshane Meadows, Lurgan was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £138 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £902.
Judith Horner (28) of Redhill Road, Dromore was given 200 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £37 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £6,201.
All are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Naming and fully identifying the guilty on the DSD website is a recent development.
It follows a campaign by www.4NI.co.uk that successfully lobbied the DSD Minister, Nelson McCausland to change his Department's policy that previously restricted the full names and details to going to local media - and did not publish the information on the DSD and NI Executive pages.
See: 4NI Wins Fraudsters' Identity Battle
(BMcC/GK)
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16 February 2011
Benefit Frauds Face Court Sanctions
Fraudsters are being made to pay the price for claiming a variety of benefits they were not entitled to. A total of 14 people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court yesterday with Joanne McBride (35) of Portallo Street, Belfast claiming Income Support totalling £4,451 while failing to declare she was working.
Benefit Frauds Face Court Sanctions
Fraudsters are being made to pay the price for claiming a variety of benefits they were not entitled to. A total of 14 people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court yesterday with Joanne McBride (35) of Portallo Street, Belfast claiming Income Support totalling £4,451 while failing to declare she was working.
22 September 2011
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.
24 February 2011
Suspended Prison Term For Fraudster
Nine people were convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast Magistrates' court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to - with one handed a jail term. Colin McGookin (52) of Sheringhurst Park, Belfast claimed Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance totalling £25,168 while failing to declare employment.
Suspended Prison Term For Fraudster
Nine people were convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast Magistrates' court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to - with one handed a jail term. Colin McGookin (52) of Sheringhurst Park, Belfast claimed Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance totalling £25,168 while failing to declare employment.
17 November 2011
Benefit Frauds Sentenced In Court
Nine people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court yesterday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. David Crawford (33) of Fairview Road, Newtownabbey claimed Incapacity Benefit and Housing Benefit totalling £8,358 while failing to declare employment.
Benefit Frauds Sentenced In Court
Nine people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court yesterday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. David Crawford (33) of Fairview Road, Newtownabbey claimed Incapacity Benefit and Housing Benefit totalling £8,358 while failing to declare employment.
03 November 2011
Benefit Fraudsters Handed Jail Sentences
People from different areas of NI have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment and fines for defrauding the Government over benefits being claimed illegally. As part of a continuing crackdown, three people were convicted at Craigavon Magistrates' court on Monday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Benefit Fraudsters Handed Jail Sentences
People from different areas of NI have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment and fines for defrauding the Government over benefits being claimed illegally. As part of a continuing crackdown, three people were convicted at Craigavon Magistrates' court on Monday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
