A Bradford businessman who fraudulently claimed over £50,000 in benefits by pretending he could not walk was caught after posting photos of himself on a cruise ship wearing sparkly jackets.
Nathan Wood, 58, of Beacon Road in Bradford, told the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) he was unable to walk without assistance and needed a walking frame or wheelchair. He was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday, October 8.
Claimed he needed walking frame or wheelchair
Wood wildly exaggerated his rheumatoid arthritis, claiming he required a walking frame or wheelchair and was incapable of walking beyond 50 metres. Despite operating his vehicle repair business, he insisted in 2018 that he needed walking assistance. Two years later, he alleged he was confined to a wheelchair and unable to work or drive.
His co-accused, Laura Clayton, 40, of Eaglesfield Drive, Bradford, masqueraded as Wood's carer and stated she "saw him in pain every day." Clayton also served as his representative in an appeal against his benefits being stopped.
Covert surveillance exposed the fraud
Wood's deception unravelled when covert surveillance footage revealed him working and ferrying colleagues around in his work van. In August 2023, he was caught on camera driving a van to a sports centre, strolling through the car park and entering the swimming pool.
In August this year, Wood uploaded photos on his Facebook page, wishing his wife a happy birthday. The images show the couple enjoying what appears to be a lavish cruise, with Wood sporting glittery jackets and striking poses at the ship's bow and on the "royal promenade."
Court hears of remorse and repayment
Lauren Smith, representing both Wood and Clayton, told the court that Wood had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2014 but had "overstated the severity of the symptoms" on his PIP application. She said both defendants had expressed "deep remorse" and offered no justification for their actions.
Ms Smith clarified there was no indication that Clayton received "a cut" for her involvement. She informed Recorder Taryn Turner that Wood, who had been claiming benefit payments of up to £450 monthly, was now repaying £65 each month through an agreed repayment scheme.
The court was told Wood had claimed benefit payments amounting to just over £53,800 in total. Recorder Turner sentenced Wood to 16 months imprisonment and handed Clayton a five-month jail term suspended for 12 months. Clayton must also complete 80 hours of unpaid work.
Addressing the pair, Recorder Turner said: "These are serious offences. Benefit fraud over a prolonged period of time undermines the integrity of the social security system. Throughout that period you represented your medical condition severely restricted your mobility and daily functioning...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."
Following the sentencing, 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."
