‘Crippled’ benefit cheat’s workouts
A BENEFITS cheat pocketed £10,000 after claiming to be crippled – while running for 20 minutes on a treadmill every day.
Gym member David Rose, 49 – who was spared jail – said he could not dress unaided or carry out basic tasks due to chronic back pain and arthritis in his knees.
But he was caught carrying heavy boxes to his vehicle for car boot sales, taking long dog walks, shopping and driving.
Rose, of Stowmarket, Suffolk, had told benefits staff he relied on his wife to care for him and could not walk without a stick.
He said he joined the gym in 2006 on his doctor’s advice to help his back pain, and lost eight stone as a result.
Prosecutor Stephanie Dodd told Ipswich Crown Court: “A surveillance operation was carried out in August 2009 and it was discovered that he could do a lot more than he described.”
Rose admitted falsely claiming £10,000 in disability benefits. He was given an 18-month community order and 18 months’ supervision, and is repaying the benefits at £32 a week.
Lynne Shirley, defending, said Rose’s health had deteriorated since the offence and he now walked with a stick.