3 February 2004

BELFAST WOMAN SENTENCED FOR BENEFIT FRAUD

A woman has been convicted at Belfast Magistrate’s Court for falsely claiming housing benefit amounting to £5,210 at a time when she was working.

Andrea Totten (31), of Kirn Park, Tullycarnet, was prosecuted for wrongly claiming housing benefit while working. The overpayment amounted to £5,210 over a period of seven months.

Her solicitor told the court that his client "gave in to temptation" and neglected to report her change in circumstances to the Social Security Agency.

Ms Totten was given a jail sentence of three months, suspended for one year and ordered to pay costs. She is also required to pay back the £5,210 she falsely claimed to the Social Security Agency.

The magistrate, Mr G Connor, said that Ms Totten had committed a very serious offence.

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