WATCH: Fraudster filmed working out while claiming disability allowance sentenced

Paramjit Randhawa had told the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) that he could barely walk 10 metres and had severe mobility problems, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

But a tip-off led undercover investigators to a Wolverhampton Council-run gym in Bentley Bridge in the summer of 2013 where Randhawa was filmed striding on a treadmill for 50 minutes and lifting weights.

The grandfather, from Honor Avenue, Wolverhampton, had become eligible for a disability allowance for life after being diagnosed with asthma brought on by working in factories and foundries in 1995.

But he failed to notify DWP officials of an improvement in his condition after having a pacemaker fitted in March 2010 and continued to draw benefits until his arrest.

Randhawa pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to notify the DWP about a change in circumstances at Wolverhampton Crown Court on December 2.

Sentencing Randhawa on his 72nd birthday, Judge John Wait said: "I see you are labouring with a walking stick today rather than keeping up a good pace on a treadmill.

He continued: "After you had a pacemaker fitted you soon became a very fit man for your age and in 2013 you were seen to be walking continuously on a treadmill in a gym for nearly 60 minutes at a good pace along with leg raises and squat thrusts. You are no doubt a very fit man but also a very dishonest man and you lied to the Department of Work and Pensions."

"Monies you were claiming on a regular basis was paid for by ordinary people who go out to work and you were not entitled to any of it.

"Having been caught out you dishonestly continued to deny the offence up until the day of your trial in December."

Judge Wait jailed Randhawa for eight months suspended for failing to notify the DWP about his change in circumstances and wrongfully claiming £19,782 between 2011 and 2013. He also ordered him to be put on an electronic tag enforced curfew between 7pm and 6am.

Earlier the court heard from Tarlochan Dubb, defending, who said his client had been living in the UK since 1969 and was the sole carer for his wife. He said: "He recognises that he ought to have informed DWP about the improvement in his condition and has been paying the overclaimed money back at £50 a month over the last 18 months.

"He's now 72 and bitterly regrets his dishonest actions. He has no previous convictions and he has lost his good character, which has shamed and embarrassed him in the community."

After the hearing Robert Dixon, spokesman for DWP, said he was satisfied with the sentence.

"We are determined to find those we suspect of abusing the welfare system by following up on tip-offs, undertaking surveillance and working with local councils.

"Deliberately not informing us of a change in your condition that may affect your claim is a crime.

"As well as his session in the gym, Randhawa was recorded walking down the stairs and wandering around the sprawling retail and leisure park.

"He had ample opportunity to inform us of his improvement but he maintained he could hardly walk and he continued to claim the top rate of disability allowance."

Randhawa was a voluntary treasurer at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Sedgley Street, Blakenhall, looking after weekly donations of up to £10,000 and overseeing a bank account containing more than £2 million.

The committee is currently embroiled in a power struggle after all 25 members – including Randhawa – were ordered to step down after the Charity Commission ruled the election was unconstitutional. Sukhbinder Singh Sandhu, one of the Gurdwara's trustees, said Randhawa's position became untenable after his offence came to light.

Sukhbinder Singh Sandhu, one of the Gurdwara's trustees, said: "Officially he has stepped down for personal reasons but it is common knowledge that he has gone because of the court case."