Stephen Mountford, 53, from Brierley Hill, was filmed strolling 1.2 miles a day to school with his grandchildren without his walking aids
A benefits cheat who swindled more than £20,000 after claiming he could barely walk was caught by fraud investigators after taking his grandchildren to school.
Stephen Mountford, 53, from Brierley Hill, was filmed strolling 1.2 miles a day to school with his grandchildren without his walking aids.
Dudley Magistrates’ Court heard he had been claiming Disability Living Allowance between October 2010 and May 2016.
However in 2015 he underwent medical treatment at Dudley Guest House, allowing him to exercise more and walk unaided, without informing the Department of Work and Pensions.
Following that he fraudulently claimed £21,900, the court was told.
Mountford had originally received benefits for severe mobility issues including osteoarthritis.
He pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to inform the DWP about his change in circumstances.
But he escaped jail and has been told to repay £215 in court costs and victim surcharges.
He was given a suspended sentence alongside a rehabilitation order.
Mrs Kelly Crow, prosecuting, said: ‘He had claimed Disability Living Allowance that he was not entitled to claim between a set period. He failed to declare that his physical ability had improved and that he could walk after all.’
Mr Adil Khan, defending, said: ‘This was a legible claim in the first instance. Because he was seen walking his grandchildren to school did not mean that he did not have a disability.
‘There was no evidence that suggested he had been seen walking unaided since 2010, it was only for a short period in 2015 when he was getting better.
‘His wife is now working and he is no longer claiming any benefits. They are paying around £50 a month back to the DWP since February this year.’
Mountford pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to inform the DWP about his change in circumstances
Mountford had no previous convictions and also suffered from depression and spondylitis.
Jackie Hughes, chair of the bench, said: ‘The seriousness of this offence does cross the custody threshold due to the amount of money and length of time involved.’
A DWP spokesman said: ‘Only a small minority of benefit claimants are dishonest, but cases like this show how we are rooting out the unscrupulous minority who are cheating the system and diverting taxpayers’ money from those who really need it.
‘We are determined to find those we suspect of abusing the welfare system by following up on tip-offs, undertaking surveillance and working with local councils.
‘Deliberately not informing us of a change in your condition that may affect your claim is a crime.’