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  • Suspended sentence for benefit fraud at Londonderry Magistrates Court

    Topics:
    • Benefit fraud

    Date published: 20 May 2025

    One person was convicted at Londonderry Magistrates Court today for claiming over £9,000 in benefits he was not entitled to.

    Paul McClay (34) of Caw Close, Londonderry, claimed Employment & Support Allowance totalling £9,423 whilst failing to declare employment. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years. The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

    Mr McClay is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department.

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

    Notes to editors:

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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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