Ards Woman Gets Suspended Sentence For £30,000 Benefit Fraud 

A woman was convicted at Downpatrick Crown Court today for claiming £30,231 benefits she was not entitled to.

Julie Strain (47) of Abbot Close, Newtownards, claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £30,231 while failing to declare employment and that she was living with someone. She was given an eight month prison sentence suspended for two years.

The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

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

Suspected benefit fraud can be reported to the Department for Communities anonymously.

Find out more at:

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/benefit-fraud