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A benefit cheat who pocketed more than £50,000 over a period of about nine years has been jailed following an investigation involving covert surveillance.
Bradford man Nathan Wood, who operated a vehicle repair business, made a fraudulent claim for a personal independence payment (PIP) back in July 2015.
Bradford Crown Court heard how Wood “overstated” the symptoms of his diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis and claimed he was unable to walk more than 50 metres.
Prosecutor Ryan Donoghue said in 2018 Wood stated in a PIP review form that his health conditions had worsened and he needed a walking frame or wheelchair.
Wood, 58, of Beacon Road in Wibsey, said he was unable to work and by 2020 he was claiming in a review form to be “wheelchair bound” and having to pay privately for a carer.
He also said he could no longer drive or cope with working on his knees.
The DWP says it will look to recover fraudulently obtained funds via the Proceeds of Crime Act legislation where appropriate, this is to ensure that individuals convicted of fraud do not benefit from their crimes.
Woman said she was his carer
Co-defendant Laura Clayton, who admitted dishonestly causing or allowing Wood to fail to notify the Department for Work and Pensions about a change in his circumstances, became involved in the offending in 2020.
In a letter supporting his PIP review, she stated that she was his carer and saw him in pain every day.
Mr Donoghue said Clayton, 40, of Eaglesfield Drive, in Woodside, acted as Wood’s representative in an appeal against the removal of his benefits.
Covert surveillance
He outlined how during covert surveillance in 2023 Wood was seen leaving home in a works van, collecting colleagues in the van and doing work during the day.
In August 2023, Wood was caught on camera driving his works van to sports centre where he was then seen walking through the car park before going into the changing rooms and entering the swimming pool.
Over £53,000 received
Mr Donoghue said Wood had received benefit payments totalling just over £53,800.
Barrister Lauren Smith, for the two defendants, said they had both expressed their deep remorse and made no excuses for what had happened.
Ms Smith said there was no suggestion that Clayton had received “a cut” for her role in the offending.
She told Recorder Taryn Turner that Wood, who had been receiving benefit payments of up £450 a month, was now paying back £65 a month under a repayment plan.
Man had been 'seen driving, walking unaided, and swimming'
Recorder Turner jailed Wood for 16 months and sentenced Clayton to five months in prison suspended for 12 months.
Clayton must also do 80 hours unpaid work.
“These are serious offences,” she told the defendants.
“Benefit fraud over a prolonged period of time undermines the integrity of the social security system.”
She said Wood had maintained his dishonest claim through review forms, assessments, correspondence and appeals when payments were temporarily halted.
“Throughout that period you represented your medical condition severely restricted your mobility and daily functioning,” she told Wood.
But she said he had been seen driving, walking unaided, swimming and operating his car repair business.
“This was not an isolated act of dishonesty. It was a sustained fraud maintained over many years and involving repeated false representations to preserve your entitlement to benefits,” said the judge.
What the DWP said
A DWP Spokesperson said: "Benefit fraud is not a victimless crime.
"Every pound stolen is money that should be supporting those who genuinely need help and funding our public services.
"The message is simple, if you cheat the benefits system, you will be found, you will have to pay the money back, and you could face prosecution.
"And if you know someone defrauding the system, please report it.”
When you are receiving any benefit, you must tell the DWP if some things in your life change here.
Members of the public can report suspected benefit fraud to DWP online at gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud or by calling the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).
Reports can be made anonymously.
DWP investigates all credible allegations and works with the Crown Prosecution Service where prosecution is appropriate.