Four convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast court - 28 May 2008

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

Christopher Atkinson (20) of Hopewell Place, Belfast, was given 150 hours community service and ordered to pay £25 court costs for duplicate encashment of Income Support cheques totalling £429.

Anthony McGuigan (38) of Iveagh Street, Belfast, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £19 court costs for duplicate encashment of Income Support cheques totalling £324.

Patrick Robinson (46) of Ailesbury Crescent, Belfast, claimed Income Support totalling £2,439 while failing to declare he was working. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £49 court costs.

Neil Fitzgerald (38) of Park Road, Newtownabbey, claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £7,041 while failing to declare he had capital. He was fined £250 and ordered to pay £31 court costs.

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

This brings to 171 the total number of successful prosecutions this year.