24 August 2005
BELFAST COURT CONVICTS BENEFIT FRAUDSTERS
A Newtownabbey woman who fraudulently claimed £15,537 in Income Support benefit has been given a suspended prison sentence. Joyce Cooper (43), of Greymount Crescent, was convicted at Laganside Court in Belfast on August 16.
At the same court, Phyllis Mercer (55), of Alliance Close, Belfast, was found guilty of falsely claiming £6,091 in Housing Benefits.
Patricia Chambers (49), of Dakota Avenue in Newtownards, was also fined £200 at Laganside Court on August 16 for falsely claiming Disability Living Allowance totalling £2,151.
James Joyce (59), of Westleydale, Ballyrobert, Ballyclare, was fined £300 at Laganside Court on August 9 for claiming Incapacity Benefit whilst working as a taxi driver.
Mervyn Pritchard (34), of Strandtown Parade, Belfast, was fined £300 at Laganside Court on August 9 on charges of claiming Jobseekers' Allowance whilst he had undeclared capital.
Kathleen Brady (25), of Beechmount Parade, Belfast, who claimed Incapacity Benefit totalling £3,752 while she was working, was convicted at Belfast Magistrates' Court on July 19. She was sentenced to 200 hours community service.
These are the latest in a series of prosecutions taken by the Social Security Agency as part of its commitment to reduce benefit fraud.
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