Two Belfast Benefit Cheats Convicted

16 December 2003
TWO BELFAST BENEFIT CHEATS CONVICTED
Two Belfast Social Security thieves were recently prosecuted for wrongly claiming benefits from their local office.

The first charged, Gary O’Neill of 1, Benbradagh Gardens, Belfast was fraudently claiming income support and housing benefit while working which amounted to over Ł1500 during 2003. The defendant failed to report his change in circumstances to the Agency. Mr O’Neill was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay the costs of the court.

The second defendant, Ms Eileen Morrison, falsely took over Ł4200 of government money from 2001-2002 as she was caught fraudently claiming job seekers allowance while working. The court imposed a sentence of 100 hours community service on the defendant and she was ordered to cover the court costs.

Both defendants are required to pay back the money to the Social Security Agency.

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