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  • Community service order for benefit fraud

    Topics:
    • Benefit fraud

    Date published: 1 December 2025

    A man has been convicted at Antrim Magistrates’ Court for fraudulently claiming over £12,000 in benefits.

    James Wilson (55) of Fernisky Park, Kells claimed Personal Independence Payments totalling £12,657 whilst exaggerating the extent of his disability and failing to declare that he was employed. He was given 180 hours' community service. The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

    All money fraudulently obtained by Mr Wilson has been repaid to the Department in full.

    Suspected benefit fraud can be reported to the Department for Communities anonymously.  Find out more at NI Direct 

    Notes to editors:

    1. For media enquiries please contact the DfC Press Office
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    3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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