WATCH: Benefits cheat claimed he could barely walk despite working as a tyre fitter
A benefits cheat raked in thousands of pounds of taxpayers money by claiming he could barely walk – when he was working full-time as a tyre fitter.
Michael Tindill, 43, claimed it was impossible for him to hold down a job because he was virtually unable to walk and required care.
He began claiming disability living allowance in June 2008 and collected £53,000 over a seven-year period.
But investigators became suspicious when HMRC passed on documents showing he had been paying tax and national insurance at his job as a tyre fitter.
Tindill, from Cannock in Staffordshire, was secretly filmed rolling and carrying heavy tyres around a workshop and inspecting the underside of the car.
He was later found out to have two further jobs.
A Department for Work and Pensions Fraud and Error spokesperson said: "He told us he was almost entirely unable to walk and needed constant care.
"In fact, he was pushing tyres around, bending down and completing other work, even becoming an assistant manager later on.
"We found out he had two other jobs as well.
"I guess he would have been shocked when we found him and confronted him. He admitted it all.
"He was aware of the need to report changes in his circumstances owing to his previous convictions."
Tindill was found guilty of benefit fraud in 2001.
He is due to be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court this afternoon for six counts of failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of his change in circumstance. Today's hearing will also determine exactly how much money Tindill received.
The spokesperson said: "This is a great example of a successful investigation. People will not get away with benefit fraud and we will bring them to justice.
"Benefits must go to people who need them, and in this case, Tindill has been taking money from the taxpayer."
