Social security agency wins first asset-stripping case

A law introduced to strip master criminals of their ill-gotten gains was used today against a housewife convicted of benefit fraud.

The Social Security Agency (SSA) won its first case under the Proceeds of Crime Act to confiscate assets running into thousands of pounds belonging to the Co Antrim woman.

The agency was granted a Confiscation Order to the value of £22,261 (€32,200) against the woman, from Dunmurry, at Craigavon Crown Court.

Pauline Cleary, (aged 34), of Lagmore Meadows, Dunmurry, was convicted in January of falsely claiming benefits as a single parent while living with her husband who was in full-time employment.

Mrs Cleary, who was also sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for two years, has six months to hand over the money.

The SSA said it had more cases in the pipeline in which it would be seeking to seize assets.

A spokesman for the agency said: “This is the first case which the agency has taken to a confiscation hearing and we are delighted with the result. It sends out an important message that crime does not pay.”

Benefit fraud costs £28m (€40.5m) a year in the North and the British government has adopted a zero-tolerance attitude, taking court action on an almost daily basis against those found to be making fraudulent claims.

The spokesman added: “Through the application of the Proceeds of Crime Act, people who commit benefit fraud can be stripped of the assets which they have illegally gained.

“Our Fraud Investigation Unit has further similar cases in the pipeline. We will also continue to work in partnership with the Assets Recovery Agency.”

The Assets Recovery Agency was established under the UK Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and has been using its powers to seize the assets of paramilitary and organised crime bosses.