Nathan Wood, 58, of Bradford, has been jailed for 16 months after a nine-year benefit fraud in which he claimed more than £53,800 in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) disability benefits. His co-accused, Laura Clayton, 40, also of Bradford, received a five-month custodial sentence suspended for 12 months, with 80 hours of unpaid work.
Wood had told the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that he was unable to walk without assistance, significantly exaggerating his rheumatoid arthritis condition. He stated that he required a walking frame or wheelchair and was incapable of walking more than 50 metres. In 2018, he maintained he needed a walking aid while operating and managing his vehicle repair enterprise. Two years later, he asserted he was confined to a wheelchair and unable to work or drive, Bradford Crown Court heard on Thursday.
Covert surveillance and cruise photos expose fraud
Clayton presented herself as Wood's carer and claimed she "saw him in pain every day." She even served as his representative during an appeal challenging the withdrawal of his benefits, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Wood's deception was exposed after covert surveillance footage captured 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 and strolling through the car park before heading into the swimming pool. In August this year, he shared photographs on his Facebook page, accompanied by a caption wishing his wife a happy birthday. The images depict the couple enjoying what appears to be a lavish cruise holiday, with Wood posing at the bow of the vessel and along the "royal promenade."
Court hears of 'overstated severity' and remorse
In a separate post, Wood captioned a photograph of himself alongside his three children with a reference to what appears to be a pyramid scheme, writing: "Tomorrow, most people will drag themselves back to their 9-5 jobs, dreading the routine and craving more freedom. If that's you - I get it. But what if I told you there's a way to build a life-having business model instead of a life-draining one? Something that gives you time, flexibility and purpose - not just a pay check. I've got the blueprint."
Lauren Smith, who represented both Wood and Clayton, informed the court that Wood had received his rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis in 2014 but had "overstated the severity of the symptoms" on his PIP claim. She stated that both defendants had expressed their "deep remorse" and offered no justification for what had taken place. Ms Smith noted there was no indication that Clayton had received "a cut" for her involvement in the offending.
She advised Recorder Taryn Turner that Wood, who had been receiving benefit payments of up to £450 a month, was now repaying £65 a month under an agreed repayment plan. The court was told that Wood had received benefit payments amounting to just over £53,800 in total.
Judge: 'This was not an isolated act of dishonesty'
Recorder Turner jailed Wood for 16 months and handed Clayton a five-month custodial sentence suspended for 12 months. Clayton must also complete 80 hours of unpaid work. She addressed the pair directly: "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 commented: "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."
