A 45-year-old former soldier living on Social Security benefits while allegedly working in Haiti in the Caribbean and buying property in Spain, has appeared at Fermanagh Court.

Clive Miller, of 24 Coleshill Crescent, Enniskillen, stood in the dock alongside his 42-year-old wife, Sonya Miller, of 22 Coleshill Crescent, Enniskillen, as the charges were read to them.

Holding a crutch in his right hand, he listened as he was accused of making false declarations to obtain Disability Living Allowance, Income Support and a war pension from the Ministry of Defence.

He is also charged with failing to disclose that he was working in Haiti with the intention of making a gain for himself and a loss to the Social Security Agency and Ministry of Defence.

He is further charged with failing to tell the Social Security Agency about the purchase of properties in Spain and an excess amount of money.

In addition Miller is charged with making two fake P60s and a number of false wage slips and using such forged documents to make a gain for himself and cause a loss to a third party in Spain.

He is also charged in assisting Sonya Miller to avoid prosecution for an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Order in relation to Spanish properties and bank accounts.

Sonya Miller faces a similar charge of assisting Clive Miller to avoid prosecution under the Proceeds of Crime Order in relation to Spanish properties and bank accounts.

She is also charged with making a false P60 and dishonestly using such a document to make a gain for herself and cause loss to a third party in Spain.

She is further charged with making a false statement to claim Disability Living Allowance.

All of the offences were allegedly committed between January 1, 2003, and September 25, 2013.

A detective constable said he was familiar with the facts and circumstances of the case and believed he could connect the Millers to the charges.

Asked if they understood the charges against them, the Millers replied: “Yes.” The court heard there was a “mass of documentation” in the case and it was “quite a complex matter”.

A defence lawyer applied for the relaxation of a bail condition requiring Clive Miller to report to Enniskillen Police Station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

He said Miller has been walking with the help of a stick for some considerable time and is due to undergo surgery on his back within the next six weeks.

The detective constable told the court: “I believe he has access to a holiday home in Spain. I believe he might go to Spain.” District Judge Nigel Broderick asked if Miller had a passport.

The detective replied: “I have his passport here.” The District Judge told the detective: “If you have his passport that is probably as good a restriction on risk of flight as having him report to a police station.” Applying for legal aid, the defence lawyer said Miller’s Social Security benefit has been suspended and he is currently “surviving from hand to mouth” although the situation in relation to his Employment and Support Allowance is being re-assessed.

The District Judge granted legal aid to both Millers on condition that Sonya provides proof she is in receipt of Working Tax Credit.

He released them on £500 bail to appear again at Fermanagh Court on November 18.