Dunmurry woman given suspended sentence for benefit fraud
A Dunmurry woman has been sentenced for fraudulently claiming more than £16,300 in benefits.
The 38-year-old claimed Universal Credit totalling £16,371.47 whilst failing to declare that she was living with a partner.
Eibhlin Cunningham, whose address was listed as Milfort Mews, was sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court to two months’ imprisonment suspended.
The Department for Communities Financial Investigation Unit also obtained a confiscation order of £16,783.14 against the defendant. This amount includes the £16,371.47 wrongly paid and is adjusted to reflect changes in the value of money over time.
The defendant must satisfy the confiscation order within six months or serve a one-year custodial sentence.
The Department for Communities said tackling benefit fraud “is a key issue” for the government in Northern Ireland.
A spokesperson said: “The Department is determined to continue in its efforts to root out fraudsters and take back the money they have stolen from our benefit system and, where it is appropriate, will continue to prosecute benefit thieves through the courts.”