A woman who fraudulently claimed more than £23,000 in disability benefits was caught ziplining and surfing in Mexico, despite telling officials she was housebound with anxiety.
Catherine Wieland, 33, from Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex, received Personal Independence Payments (PIP) after claiming she suffered from crippling anxiety that left her unable to leave her home. However, a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) investigation uncovered evidence of her enjoying holidays abroad and visiting theme parks.
The DWP found that Wieland had been surfing in Cancun, visiting Thorpe Park three times, and spending money on manicures, tanning sessions, and trips to a private Harley Street dentist. Bank statements showed 76 beauty appointments, visits to 60 pubs, clubs, and restaurants, and transactions in foreign currencies.
When confronted, Wieland told investigators: 'I didn't realise you're not allowed to leave your house.' She had also submitted a review claiming her condition had worsened after a luxury trip to Mexico.
Wieland pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change of circumstances and was given a 28-week suspended sentence for 18 months. She must repay the £23,662 stolen between 2021 and 2024.
Andrew Western, a DWP minister, said: 'This is an insult to every hardworking taxpayer and to people who genuinely depend on PIP. Wieland lied repeatedly, milked the system for every penny she could get and then had the nerve to claim her condition was worsening while she was ziplining and surfing in Mexico.'
