Patrycja Harmatiuk, 31, from Silverwood Leaves in Lurgan, received an 18-month conditional discharge at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court for benefit fraud.

She pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Social Security Agency of a change in circumstances between December 20, 2022, and March 19, 2023, to obtain Universal Credit.

Harmatiuk claimed £3,654 while not declaring that she lived with her partner, who was not receiving benefits and shared her address.

She claimed benefits as a single parent with two dependent children.

Department for Communities investigators uncovered the fraud after receiving an allegation.

The court ordered Harmatiuk to repay any outstanding wrongly obtained funds to the Department.

Her barrister, Conor Lunny, stated that the amount had reduced to £2,354.66 through weekly repayments of £50.

Lunny noted that Harmatiuk has no prior record, now runs a self-employed cleaning business, and her partner is employed.

The Department accepts anonymous reports of suspected benefit fraud.