Suspended sentence for benefit fraud at Dungannon Crown Court
Date published:
A woman has been convicted at Dungannon Crown Court for fraudulently claiming over £46,400 in benefits.
Gertrude Connolly (71), of Greenacres, Cookstown, acting as appointee for a benefit claimant, failed to declare the claimant’s true circumstances. She provided inaccurate information to the Department for Communities in support of benefit claims, resulting in overpayment of benefits.
Ms Connolly claimed Employment Support Allowance totalling £29,345.13, and Personal Independence Payments totalling £17,153.54. She was sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment suspended for three years.
The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.
Suspected benefit fraud can be reported to the Department for Communities anonymously. Find out more at NI Direct
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