Two Fermanagh men have appeared before a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court on charges of deception.

William Joseph May (43) with an address at Tattinderry Heights, Maguiresbridge is charged with making a false representation in that he required £3,200 to secure the release of a person and property with the intention of making a loss to Kenneth Kerr on 19th August 2007.

May is also charged with, between 18th - 23rd August 2007, saying he required £4,300 to secure the release of a person and property with intention of causing a loss to Kenneth Kerr.

The co-accused in this case is Lawrence Maye, with an address at Station Park, Maguiresbridge. He is charged with, on 22nd August 2007, making a false statement that for £4,000 he would assist to recover monies, intending to cause a loss to Kenneth Kerr.

On the basis of the papers before the court Resident Magistrate Liam McNally agreed there was a prima facia case for the men to answer. William May made no reply when charged while Lawrence Maye replied 'Not Guilty'. The two are to appear before Dungannon Crown Court on 3rd June.

Benefit fraud

A Fivemiletown woman has been convicted of benefit fraud at Enniskillen Crown Court .

Ann Bridget Marie Coyle (36), formerly of Mullaghfad Road, now living in the Republic of Ireland, claimed Income Support totalling £19,423 while failing to declare she was married and living outside of Northern Ireland.

She was given a 15-month prison sentence suspended for twelve months and a compensation order for £750 was imposed. Coyle is also required to repay the money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Dishonest phone upgrade

Using someone else's mobile phone number to upgrade her phone has led to an appearance before Fermanagh Magistrates Court for thirty-six year old Gloria Lemin from Sallyswood in Irvinestown.

The court heard that on 26th June last year the defendant went into the O2 shop in Belmore Street in Enniskillen and giving a mobile phone number belonging to the injured party the defendant dishonestly secured a handset upgrade to the value of £64.

When later questioned the defendant admitted fraudulently receiving a phone using someone else's number.

Defending, Daragh Montague said the defendant had a very troubled background and that she accepts this was a stupid thing to do, and she accepts she wasn't thinking straight at the time. A fine of £200 was imposed on the defendant.

Cocaine possession

Possession of cocaine and cannabis resin were the charges that 28-year-old David Patrick Francis Brough from Drumbeg in Enniskillen pleaded guilty to before a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

The court heard that on 21st July last year police searched the home of the defendant on a warrant looking for illegal drugs. Following the search the defendant was charged with possession of Class A drugs. Traces of cocaine were found on a pair of scales as well as eight grams of cannabis.

Resident Magistrate Liam McNally imposed a combination order of 12 months probation and 80 hours community service.