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04/01/2012
Crackdown On Benefit Fraud Continues
In a sustained crackdown on benefit fraud Northern Ireland has saw a continued spate of arrests and fines handed out to those guilty of falsely claiming benefits.
Barry Toner,32, of University Street, Belfast was given a four-month prison sentence and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £324.
He will also have to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Meanwhile two men were convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ court on Tuesday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Thomas Moore, 29, of Ardmonagh Parade, Belfast was fined £400 and ordered to pay court costs of £44 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £207.
Dane Smyth, 48, of Colligan Street, Belfast claimed Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,257 while failing to declare employment. He was fined £450 and ordered to pay court costs of £37.
Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Elsewhere in County Fermanagh Christopher Masterson,21, of Kilmacormick Road, Enniskillen was given 180 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £229.
This news comes at a time when government is considering a more simplified welfare state. Before Christmas Welfare Reform Minister Lord Freud discussed the most radical changes to welfare for 60 years.
He said:"From 2013, we will introduce one benefit, a Universal Credit. It will combine jobseekers' allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit, working tax credit, in come support and employment support allowance. The system will be hugely simplified."
(LB)
Barry Toner,32, of University Street, Belfast was given a four-month prison sentence and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £324.
He will also have to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Meanwhile two men were convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ court on Tuesday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Thomas Moore, 29, of Ardmonagh Parade, Belfast was fined £400 and ordered to pay court costs of £44 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £207.
Dane Smyth, 48, of Colligan Street, Belfast claimed Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,257 while failing to declare employment. He was fined £450 and ordered to pay court costs of £37.
Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
Elsewhere in County Fermanagh Christopher Masterson,21, of Kilmacormick Road, Enniskillen was given 180 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £229.
This news comes at a time when government is considering a more simplified welfare state. Before Christmas Welfare Reform Minister Lord Freud discussed the most radical changes to welfare for 60 years.
He said:"From 2013, we will introduce one benefit, a Universal Credit. It will combine jobseekers' allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit, working tax credit, in come support and employment support allowance. The system will be hugely simplified."
(LB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 December 2011
Benefit Fraudsters Pay The Penalty
Both a jail sentence and fines have been handed down to benefit fraudsters across NI. Two people were convicted at Newry Magistrates Court (pictured) on Monday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Benefit Fraudsters Pay The Penalty
Both a jail sentence and fines have been handed down to benefit fraudsters across NI. Two people were convicted at Newry Magistrates Court (pictured) on Monday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
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.
08 September 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.
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.
18 August 2011
Criminals Sentenced For Benefit Fraud
A man was convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court on Wednesday for claiming benefits he was not entitled to. Raymond Crooks, 52, of Bentinck Street, Belfast was given three months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Employment Support Allowance totalling £173.
Criminals Sentenced For Benefit Fraud
A man was convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court on Wednesday for claiming benefits he was not entitled to. Raymond Crooks, 52, of Bentinck Street, Belfast was given three months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Employment Support Allowance totalling £173.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
