Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Antrim Crown Court.

Charles Doey claimed Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £13,082 while failing to declare employment. He was given a three month custodial sentence suspended for two years. The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Dept Of Communities Called To Provide Funding To Build More Homes

The Department of Communities has been called to provide more funding to build more homes in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Féin made the call after meeting with its senior management team to discuss a number of housing issues.

MLA Carál Ní Chuilín stressed the need to build more homes particularly in areas of high demand.

She said: "In some of these areas there are lengthy waiting lists and three generations of family living under the same roof. That is unacceptable.

"We also raised a number of issues which have a disproportionate impact on women.

"Women who are forced to leave their homes as a result of violence in the home should be awarded intimidation points.

"Instead these women and their children languish in hostels for long periods of time through no fault of their own.

"That wait on a home can go on for years in an area of high demand. That's clearly wrong and this issue needs to be addressed.

"The problem is also being compounded by the lack of suitable refuges. Women's Aid and the Simon Community have raised this issue in the past but Tory/DUP cuts to public services is making this problem worse instead of better."

Break-In At Community Cafe Condemned

UUP Councillor Sonia Copeland has condemned a break-in at a community cafe at the Skainos Centre on the Lower Newtownards Road in east Belfast.

She said: "I am absolutely disgusted that anyone could stoop so low to break into a community cafe and steal the tip jar, leaving a trail of destruction behind them. This is a community facility and it is deplorable for it to be targeted by thieves.

"I would appeal to anyone who has any information that could help the PSNI catch those responsible to come forward to the police. Those responsible must face the consequences of such despicable actions."

(CD/LM)