Ryan Scott, 39, was receiving Personal Independence Payment after claiming a workplace accident left him unable to perform basic tasks such as lifting a pan or walking more than 20 metres. Following an anonymous tip-off, Department for Work and Pensions investigators found photographs of him completing a 10k race and bank records showing he had returned to paid plastering work.
Surveillance officers subsequently filmed Scott climbing ladders, carrying heavy equipment and plastering walls with apparent ease, Exeter Magistrates Court heard. He was charged after he failed to inform the DWP his condition had improved to such an extent he was able to complete an endurance running race. The court was told he had over-claimed more than £7,600 in disability benefits he was not entitled to.
How the fraud came to light
Scott had initially made a legitimate claim, but his health and mobility improved around May 2023. On 22 June 2023 he paid an entry fee for a 10k race, which he completed a month later. A surveillance operation carried out over several days in March 2024 recorded him performing activities that contradicted his claim.
The defendant, from Torquay, Devon, failed to notify the DWP of the change in circumstances and continued to receive benefit payments automatically transferred to his Monzo account. After his claim was re-calculated, he was deemed not entitled to benefit from 31 May 2023 to 7 April 2024, generating an overpayment of £7,625.68.
Scott's explanation
Fraud investigators said Scott told them he had felt well enough to consider a 10k after improving in the gym, but said it had "not been done with ease". He told them: "It took a long time for me to do and I was in bed for two weeks afterwards."
In his original claim, Scott reported difficulty preparing food, lifting pans from the oven and opening twist-top lids, and said it was painful to sit upright. He also claimed he was "too weak" to lift a phone, had difficulty being outside for more than a few minutes, and was unable to plan journeys or walk more than 20m without an aid.
Court sentence
Addressing magistrates, Scott said: "I would like to apologise for any trouble I have caused to anyone. At the time I was taking a lot of medication. I slipped into deep depression. I was going back to work but was not completely able to do it. I was getting picked up by a friend and taken in. It was more to try and pull me out of a deep hole. I did not think at the time what I was doing. I was not in a good place. It was unintentional and I would like to apologise for that."
Magistrates said there was "no reason" to believe his claim was false from the outset and noted he had no relevant previous convictions. On Thursday, he was sentenced to a 15-day community order and must pay a fine, costs and victim surcharge totalling £360. The court heard he had already begun repaying the money to the DWP.
DWP warning
After sentencing, a DWP spokesperson said: "Benefit fraud is not a victimless crime – it steals money from the people who need it most. Whatever your reasons for cheating the system, know that our investigators are wise to every trick in the book and we will find you. So, if you know someone is playing the system, turn them in."
