18 August 2005

LONDONDERRY MAN CONVICTED OF BENEFIT FRAUD

A man who claimed Jobseekers Allowance without declaring an occupational pension was convicted of fraud at Londonderry Court today.

William McShane (58), of Lisfannon Park in Londonderry, was paid a total of £2,964 between November 2001 and March 2004. He was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay costs.

Mr McShane's solicitor said that when completing the Jobseekers Allowance application form he thought that the question about pensions referred only to state pensions.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

This prosecution is the latest in a series taken by the Social Security Agency in its drive to reduce benefit fraud.

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