Four convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast Court - 29 April 2008

Four people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

Elizabeth Hamilton (58), of Prospect Drive, Carrickfergus, claimed Carer’s Allowance totalling £7,106 while failing to declare she was working full time. She was given an eighteen month conditional discharge.

Thomas Hamilton (60), also of Prospect Drive, Carrickfergus, claimed Housing Benefit totalling £3,266 while failing to declare he was working full time. He was given an eighteen month conditional discharge.

Mary Haughey (44), of Roumania Rise, Belfast, claimed Income Support totalling £2,749 while failing to declare she had capital. She was given an eighteen month conditional discharge.

Sarah Nicholson (26), of Boundary Walk, Belfast, claimed Incapacity Benefit totalling £8,497 while failing to declare she was working. She was given nine months probation.

All are required to repay the money they wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

This brings to 136 the total number of successful prosecutions this year.