Express & Star

Jury shown footage of disabled Black Country dog breeder running

A jury has been shown footage of a dog breeder jogging around a show ring – while pocketing thousands of pounds in disability benefits after claiming she had difficulty walking.

Published

The footage featuring Susan Malpas was shown at Wolverhampton Crown Court this week.

It also sees her walking for at least a mile around the showground site, jumping on and off an 18-inch step and repeatedly stooping to groom her dogs.

Yet the 62-year-old told Department of Work and Pensions officials that she could barely walk due to breathing problems and joint pain, the court heard.

The jury was told that Malpas, of Neachells Lane, Willenhall, also claimed her knees hurt when she used the stairs and on bad days the pain was 'unbearable'. It was said her walking limit was 40-50 metres.

The hearing was told that Malpas only left her home when she had to and that shopping left her feeling 'very breathless and very frightened.'

In her application claim for disability living allowance, she said: "I tend to panic if I am on my own and the stress causes pain to my lower back and usually brings on an asthma attack. By the time I get home, I feel totally drained and exhausted."

Malpas was captured on film by a DWP investigator at the City of Birmingham Dog Show at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, in August 2013.

Stuart Clarkson, prosecuting, said: "She was alone and observed walking through the site holding three dogs by the lead in her left hand, covering distances of more than 500 paces at various times as she moved through the show ring and grounds. She did not use a stick and showed no signs of discomfort or exhaustion."

Mr Clarkson said she bent low several times to 'vigorously' groom her three Collies, went from sitting to standing in one movement and was later filmed jogging around the show ring with each dog in turn.

The jury heard she had also judged several dog shows around the Midlands between 2007 and 2013, including the Oakengates show in Wolverhampton.

Mr Clarkson said she suffered from a several medical conditions, including asthma, and high blood pressure. He said her benefits claim was initially legitimate but that her physical capabilities had improved.

Malpass denies dishonestly claiming £16,826 between May 2007 and October 2013 by failing to notify the DWP of a change in circumstances.

The case continues.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.