Benefit fraud leads to suspended sentence at Newry Magistrates’ Court
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A woman has been convicted at Newry Magistrates’ Court for fraudulently claiming over £4,000 in benefits.
Tracy McClelland (44), of Ballooleymore Road, Katesbridge, claimed Personal Independence Payments totalling £4,068 whilst failing to declare a change in circumstances, namely employment. She was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment suspended for two years. The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.
Mrs McClelland is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongly obtained to the Department.
Suspected benefit fraud can be reported to the Department for Communities anonymously. Find out more at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/benefit-fraud.
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