Belfast Women Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

31 August 2005
BELFAST WOMEN CONVICTED OF BENEFIT FRAUD
Two women have appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court on separate charges of falsely claiming benefits.
Nicola Large (25), of Wye Street, Belfast was given a two-month suspended prison sentence for falsely claiming Ł2,192 in Income Support and a similar sentence for falsely claiming Ł1,562 in Housing Benefit when she was working. She is required to pay back the overpayment.
Alison Hutchinson (38), of Battenberg Street, Belfast, was fined a total of Ł300 for cashing giros for Income Support and Jobseekers' Allowance valued at Ł600 to which she was not entitled.
The cases are the latest in an ongoing series taken by the Social Security Agency as part of its drive to reduce benefit fraud.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The cases were heard on August 30.

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