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He said he could barely walk: Brierley Hill benefits cheat captured on film

This is the footage of a benefits cheat from Brierley Hill, who was caught by fraud investigators walking to collect to his grandchildren from school, when it was claimed he could barely walk.

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Stephen Mountford

Stephen Mountford, from Milton Street, Brierley Hill, was spotted by investigators from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) walking his grandchildren to and from school.

He racked up an overpayment of £21,900.80 pence.

Footage emerged of the 53-year-old strolling along roads in the area without his walking aids.

The court heard how he had been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) from between October 16 2010 and May 3 2016. However, in 2015 he underwent medical treatment at Dudley Guest Hospital, allowing him to exercise more and walk unaided, without informing the DWP.

Mountford was given a 24-week suspended sentence alongside a rehabilitation order. He was told to pay £100 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £115.

A DWP spokesman said: "Only a small minority of benefit claimants are dishonest, but cases like this show how we are rooting out the unscrupulous minority who are cheating the system and diverting taxpayers’ money from those who really need it.

“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. Don’t wait for our fraud investigators to find you - tell us of a change now. If you suspect someone of fraudulently claiming benefits, then call our National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440."

Dudley Magistrates heard on Friday how Mountford had been taking his grandchildren to school over a distance of 1.2 miles twice a day, when his car was out of action.

He had no previous convictions and also suffered from depression and spondylitis.