Two women were convicted at Newry Crown Court for fraudulently claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
Denisa Leboova (31) of Ashgrove Park, Newry, claimed Universal Credit totalling £54,514 whilst failing to declare joint living arrangements.
She was given 15 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years.
Emma Flynn (40) of Glenhill Park, Newry, claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £31,990 whilst failing to declare that she was working outside of Northern Ireland.
She was given 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years.
The fraud was uncovered following investigations by the Department for Communities.
They are both also required to repay any outstanding money wrongly obtained to the Department.
Suspected benefit fraud can be reported to the Department for Communities anonymously. Find out more at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/benefit-fraud
