22 February 2006

WOMAN RECEIVES SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR BENEFIT FRAUD

A woman was convicted at Belfast Magistrate's Court yesterday for obtaining benefits to which she was not entitled.

Frances McKeown (36), of Northland Street, Belfast was given a 14 month prison sentence suspended for two years after being found guilty of wrongfully cashing Income Support cheques to the value £2171.

Ms McKeown has to repay the money she received to the Social Security Agency.

This case is the latest success in the Social Security Agency's campaign against benefit fraud. There have been 35 successful convictions since the start of the year. Last year 196 convictions were achieved.

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