Many NI Benefit Frauds Face The Courts

Five people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court on Tuesday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

Margaret Teer (66) of Moyard Crescent, Belfast claimed Housing Benefit totalling £14,783 while failing to declare employment. She was given 180 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £34.

Marie McKernon (47) of Watermouth Crescent, Belfast claimed Income Support totalling £11,990 while failing to declare employment. She was given 200 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £46.

Nicholas Murphy (34) of Carrick Hill, Belfast claimed Income Support and Carers Allowance totalling £4,125 while failing to declare employment. He was given 200 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £49.

James McCartan (41) of Cliftonville Parade, Belfast was given a two year probation order with a condition to attend an alcohol rehabilitation course and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £763.

Stacie Devlin (26) of Blackmountain Grove, Belfast claimed Income Support totalling £1,017 while failing to declare employment. She was given 200 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £62.

Meanwhile, a woman was convicted at Londonderry Crown court yesterday for claiming benefits wrongly.

Marie Curtis (51) of Pennyburn Court, Londonderry claimed Severe Disablement Allowance, Income Support, Disability Living Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £46,650 while failing to declare employment. She was given 200 hours community service.

A woman was also convicted at Coleraine Magistrates' court yesterday for claiming benefits she was not entitled to. Laura Doherty (30) of Rosemary Place, Coleraine claimed Income Support totalling £1,984 while failing to declare employment and that she was living with her partner. She was fined £200 and ordered to pay court costs of £64.

Two people were also convicted at Downpatrick Magistrates' court yesterday for claiming benefits. Terence Toal (56) of Ardglass Road, Ballyhornan was given a four month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay court costs of £120 for exaggerated disability when claiming Disability Living Allowance totalling £2,700.

Ann Marie Toal (55) of Phennick Close, Ardglass was given a four month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay court costs of £52 for exaggerated disability when claiming Disability Living Allowance totalling £3,348.

All those guilty of the frauds are also required to repay any money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

(BMcC/GK)