Suspended sentence for 31-year-old woman convicted of benefit fraud at Laganside Crown Court
Date published:
A woman has been convicted at Laganside Crown Court for fraudulently claiming £30,646.82 in benefits.
Ashley Edwards (31), of Stiles Farm, Antrim, claimed Universal Credit totalling £12,381.46 and Personal Independence Payment totalling £18,265.36 while failing to declare employment. She was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.
The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.
Ms Edwards 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.
Notes to editors:
Notes to editors:
- For media enquiries please contact the Press Office.
- Follow the Department on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- 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.