Kevin Field, of Ipswich, Suffolk, (pictured leaving court yesterday) showed ‘no signs of remorse’ as he managed to avoid jail
A benefits cheat who claimed he could barely walk but was caught red handed hopping on one leg and pushing his car.
Kevin Field, 57, was also seen walking his dogs and moving heavy bins despite receiving thousands of pounds in taxpayers’ money for severe disabilities.
Field, of Ipswich, Suffolk, showed ‘no signs of remorse’ as he managed to avoid jail.
Between January 2013 and April 2016, Field managed to pocket a staggering £12,903.60 in Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
He claimed the higher-level mobility component, worth him £58 a week, South East Suffolk magistrates’ court heard.
Field also claimed £22 for lower care payment for people who need help with basic tasks.
Lucy Miller, prosecuting, said Field was awarded DLA allowance at the end of 2008 when he was in his late 40s.
She said the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was tipped-off that Field’s mobility had improved in January 2013.
Field admitted his mobility had improved significantly following an operation but said there was ‘no way’ he could cross a football pitch without severe discomfort.
DWP officers were then sent to Field’s home to determine whether he had exagratted his disability.
In February last year, they found he was able to walk his two dogs unaided, move wheelie bins and push his car almost a foot after releasing the handbrake.
A week later Field was shadowed and filmed as he went on an 18-minute dog walk, showing no signs of discomfort.
He was then seen removing a shoe and hopping on one leg to maintain balance.
Kevin Field, 57, was also seen walking his dogs and moving heavy bins despite receiving thousands of pounds in taxpayers’ money for severe disabilities
Field was caught walking more than 1,000 yards with his dogs and was seen picking up their excrement.
When shown damning footage nailing him red-handed the law-breaking serial offender retorted: ‘But I was in pain.’
Field denied dishonestly failing to declare his mobility had improved but was convicted in a trial on January 8.
At his sentencing yesterday the cocky crook told magistrates: ‘I didn’t know I needed to inform the DWP.
‘I had so much to sort out when my wife died (in December 2014).
‘She did all the paperwork.
‘I had everything to do – council tax, rent, insurance on the household.
‘I took painkillers every time I walked the dogs because I was still in so much pain.’
Magistrates said Field’s mobility had improved before his wife’s death.
They told him he knew his circumstances had changed but he still failed to admit his guilt.
‘We haven’t seen any signs of remorse at all,’ they warned him.
Field was handed a 24-week jail term, suspended for 18 months, and slapped with a home curfew from 4pm-9am for three months.
He was also ordered to fork out £440 costs.