A Dublin man had his sentence deferred yesterday after pleading guilty to 21 charges of fraud, including defrauding the DHSS in Belfast.
Paul Howard (28), a joiner from Tallaght, had made regular trips across the Border from August 1995 until his arrest in May 1998 to claim benefits amounting to almost £19,000 sterling.
Belfast Crown Court heard how Howard made false claims for himself and his brother - who is in prison for stabbing their father to death - and had opened false accounts in several building societies to facilitate the fraud. As Howard appeared in court with sureties of more than £12,000, Judge Anthony Hart deferred sentencing for 12 months to allow him to pay back the rest of the money.