Woman to repay £40k benefits

A CONFISCATION order for more than £40,000 has been issued against a Londonderry woman The Department for Communities Financial Investigation Unit obtained the order, to the value of £41,888, against Rose Stokes. Stokes (41) claimed Income Support on the basis she was a lone parent. An investigation established that she had held money in bank accounts which affected her entitlement. In September 2016 Stokes pleaded guilty to five charges of dishonesty at Newry Crown Court and later received a suspended sentence.