A thirty-eight year old Newtownbutler man who claimed over £5,500 in both Income Support and Housing Benefit he wasn't entitled to was sentenced to six months in prison when he appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court.
Stephen O'Donnell from Railway Crescent, Newtownbutler was charged with making false statements to the Social Security Agency and Northern Ireland Housing Executive, on a number of dates in 2003 and 2004, failing to notify these agencies that he was living with his partner.
The court heard the defendant claimed £3075.91 in Income Support and £2600.60 Housing Benefit he wasn't entitled to.
The prosecution told the court these agencies would be asking for a court order for full repayment over these monies.
Defending, Mr Lennon explained the defendant was no longer on benefits as he had been able to secure work as a taxi driver.
The defendant also lodged £750 to the court indicating he is willing to repay the money he received.
The solicitor said his client was making an attempt to pay the money back and that he would do whatever the court orders if the option of immediate custody is not taken.
The defence explained the defendant looks after his own children but would find the time to comply with any orders the court saw fit to impose.
After taking some time to consider the case Resident Magistrate Liam McNally said he had thought, on reading the court papers, that an immediate custodial sentence was the only appropriate sentence here.
Mr McNally said this was a 'substantial offence of dishonesty' in that he failed to notify agencies of a change in his circumstances as a result of which he received a substantial amount of housing benefit over a substantial period of time.
Mr McNally told the defendant he had previously made false statements, and went on to say the court has to send a message to people who do this, for the second time, that they can't expect leniency.
For the offences the defendant was sentenced to six months in prison.
Following an application by his solicitor the defendant was bailed to appeal the sentence to the sum of £500.
