AN ENNISKILLEN father who failed to provide authorities with his financial information following a request for child support has been fined in court. 

Stuart Smyton (30) of Glebe Park was charged with failing to comply with a Child Support Information Request after he failed to provide his financial details to the Department of Social Development.

Enniskillen Magistrates Court head on Wednesday heard that an application was made for child maintenance to Smyton, who was named as father of the child who was born in 2009, and a request was made for the defendant’s financial details, such as bank statements and loan information. When the child maintenance services received no contact from Smyton, they issued a caution against him in October last year. He also failed to attend an interview following this caution. 

On November 11 last, Smyton phoned child maintenance services to say he had received the letter, and explained he was self-employed and had no financial documentation, but earned around £50-£150 per week. Further requests were made of Smyton but, to date, child maintenance services have received no documentation from him regarding his finances. 

Defence solicitor Emer Cox said Smyton had previously been in receipt and had, unsuccessfully, tried to set up his own car valeting service. She added he lived at home with his mother, and paid money into the running of the home. 

District Judge Nigel Broderick asked why, if Smyton was of such limited means, had he not provided his financial details to the authorities. “What has he got to hide?” asked the Judge, who said the defendant should not be surprised that authorities are suspicious of his financial background.

Ms Cox said Smyton was not trying to hide anything from child maintenance services, and explained he had misunderstood, believing that because he had told them he did not earn much money that was the end of the matter. The solicitor added Smyton had reapplied for benefits, and said he had no previous convictions for any similar offences. 

Looking at his previous convictions, Judge Broderick said Smyton had “a poor record generally” which he said indicated he was of “bad character.” He fined Smyton £500, and warned him that if he continued to not comply with requests for information he faced even higher fines.