Three Benefit Fraudsters Given Community Service At Belfast Court

16 January 2007
THREE BENEFIT FRAUDSTERS GIVEN COMMUNITY SERVICE AT BELFAST COURT
One man and two women were sentenced to community service at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today for claiming benefit fraudulently.
Paul Gilroy (37) of Lady Street, Belfast was given 200 hours community service for working while claiming Income Support, Job Seeker’s Allowance and Invalid Care Allowance to the value of Ł8,509.
Christina Murray (36) was sentenced to 100 hours community service for claiming Income Support of Ł5,557 as a single person while living with her partner.
Patricia Officer (41) of Hillman Street, Belfast was sentenced to 125 hours community service on each of nine offences to run concurrently. She had claimed Job Seeker’s Allowance and Housing Benefit to the value of Ł14,273 while working.
All three will also have to repay the money they fraudulently claimed to the Social Security Agency.
These bring the number of convictions in 2007 to 13. Last year 257 convictions were secured by the Social Security Agency in its campaign against benefit fraud.

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