Cookstown man claimed benefits while living abroad

A Cookstown man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after claiming benefits of almost £3.5k whilst living abroad.
CourtCourt
Court

Dungannon Magistrates Court heard on Friday how Darren Coyle, 37, of Coolnafranky Park, claimed Employment Support Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £3,425.

But he had failed to declare with the Social Security Agency that he was living abroad.

He was given a sentence of three months imprisonment suspended for two years for the Employment Support Benefit claim and one month imprisonment suspended for two years for the Housing Benefit claim. Sentences will run concurrently.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.