A benefits fraudster who claimed £7,600 of taxpayer cash by saying he was ‘too weak to lift a phone’ got caught working in manual labour and entering a 10k running race.
Ryan Scott, 39, had been claiming disability benefits after telling the authorities that a workplace accident had left him so immobile he couldn’t carry out basic tasks like lifting a pan or walking more than 20 metres.
But an anonymous tip-off led Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) investigators to uncover photos of him completing the long-distance running race and bank records showing that he had, in fact, returned to plastering work.
Surveillance officers filmed Scott climbing ladders, carrying heavy equipment and plastering walls with apparent ease.
Magistrates heard Scott had claimed more than £7,600 in Personal Independence Payments (PIP) he was not entitled to. He was sentenced on Thursday to a community order and a fine.
He was charged after he failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions his condition had improved to such an extent that he was able to complete an endurance running race.
After the event, authorities carried out the surveillance operation over several days and filmed the plasterer working on a building site.
Exeter Magistrates Court heard Scott had initially been claiming legitimate benefits, but his health and mobility had improved around May 2023. On June 22, 2023 he paid an entry fee to enter a 10k race – which he completed a month later.
Ryan Scott (pictured) was fined and given a 15 day community order at Exeter Magistrates Court
Surveillance officers caught him carrying out manual labour after saying he was ‘too weak to lift a phone’
Surveillance was carried out over several days in March 2024 and captured Scott carrying out activities that ‘contradicted his claim’, magistrates heard.
The court heard the defendant from Torquay, Devon, failed to notify authorities of the change in his circumstances and continued to be paid his benefits as an automatic transfer to his Monzo account.
After the investigation, his claim was re-calculated and it was deemed he had not been entitled to the benefit payments from May 31, 2023 until April 7, 2024 – generating an overpayment of £7,625.68.
Fraud investigators said Scott told them he had felt well enough to consider a 10k over 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.’
He was approved for his initial claim after reporting difficulty preparing food, lifting pans from the oven, opening twist top lids and said it was painful to sit upright.
He said he was ‘too weak’ to lift a phone and had difficulty being outside for more than a few minutes.
He also claimed he was unable to plan a journey or walk more than 20 metres without an aid.
The plasterer from Devon also undertook a 10k endurance running race while claiming benefits
Addressing the court, Scott told magistrates: ‘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 said he had no relevant previous convictions.
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 started repaying the money to the DWP.
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.’
It comes as the DWP announced plans to crackdown on fraudsters exploiting the benefits system.
Other recent convictions include Helen Green, who was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment for £25,000 PIP benefit fraud, and Catherine Wieland, who was caught ziplining in Mexico and was sentenced for £23,000 PIP fraud.
The DWP said it was implementing new powers under the PAFER Act, including in persistent cases of non-repayment of debts. These included enabling direct deductions from bank accounts and court-ordered driving disqualifications for those who continue to refuse to pay.
It is part of the Government’s commitment to saving £14.6billion by 2031 from fraud, error and debt activity, which includes investment to deploy up to 3,000 additional staff and strengthen its data, analytics and investigative capability.
