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Benefit fraudster caught on CCTV Benefit fraudster caught on CCTV
(about 8 hours later)
A benefits cheat who claimed she could not walk more than a few steps unaided was caught out on CCTV footage walking around council offices.A benefits cheat who claimed she could not walk more than a few steps unaided was caught out on CCTV footage walking around council offices.
A judge at Swansea Crown Court praised benefit fraud investigators, after he gave Vanda Lewis, 55, from Neath, a nine month suspended jail sentence.A judge at Swansea Crown Court praised benefit fraud investigators, after he gave Vanda Lewis, 55, from Neath, a nine month suspended jail sentence.
She had admitted more than £27,000 in benefit fraud.She had admitted more than £27,000 in benefit fraud.
Lewis falsely claimed Disability Living Allowance and failed to claim she was living with her partner, who worked.Lewis falsely claimed Disability Living Allowance and failed to claim she was living with her partner, who worked.
Investigators, who had been tipped off by a member of the public, camped outside her house and saw her husband leaving for work in the mornings, when she was claiming they were separated.Investigators, who had been tipped off by a member of the public, camped outside her house and saw her husband leaving for work in the mornings, when she was claiming they were separated.
The court heard that in making her claims, she said she suffered from serious neck and back pains.The court heard that in making her claims, she said she suffered from serious neck and back pains.
She had claimed that without a wheelchair or crutches she could only do one or two steps and that would leave her in considerable pain Kevin McGrath, fraud investigatorShe had claimed that without a wheelchair or crutches she could only do one or two steps and that would leave her in considerable pain Kevin McGrath, fraud investigator
Lewis said she could only take a few steps unaided and did not like to use her wheelchair.Lewis said she could only take a few steps unaided and did not like to use her wheelchair.
But in January 2005, she was spotted by investigators on many occasions walking without support, with ease.But in January 2005, she was spotted by investigators on many occasions walking without support, with ease.
She was also caught by CCTV cameras at Neath council offices, which she visited with a query over housing benefit.She was also caught by CCTV cameras at Neath council offices, which she visited with a query over housing benefit.
At Swansea Crown Court, Recorder Philip Rees praised the investigation.At Swansea Crown Court, Recorder Philip Rees praised the investigation.
"This is a very serious plundering of the public purse. One is talking about substantial sums of public money, that are for the deserving, not for those who are prepared to engage in protracted fraudulent behaviour.""This is a very serious plundering of the public purse. One is talking about substantial sums of public money, that are for the deserving, not for those who are prepared to engage in protracted fraudulent behaviour."
He said: "I pay tribute to those who investigated this case. They have a very difficult job to do and so do I in sentencing."He said: "I pay tribute to those who investigated this case. They have a very difficult job to do and so do I in sentencing."
Vanda Lewis (right) visited the council with a housing benefit queryVanda Lewis (right) visited the council with a housing benefit query
Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) fraud investigator Kevin McGrath said after the case: "The footage was mainly just to confirm that she was able to walk around normally without a wheelchair or crutches as she had stated the most she could do was a step.Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) fraud investigator Kevin McGrath said after the case: "The footage was mainly just to confirm that she was able to walk around normally without a wheelchair or crutches as she had stated the most she could do was a step.
"She had claimed that without a wheelchair or crutches she could only do one or two steps and that would leave her in considerable pain."She had claimed that without a wheelchair or crutches she could only do one or two steps and that would leave her in considerable pain.
"On the CCTV footage she is going to the office and actually walking around the office to conduct business with the council at the time. It proved that she was mobile.""On the CCTV footage she is going to the office and actually walking around the office to conduct business with the council at the time. It proved that she was mobile."
Mr McGrath said investigators also had some footage of her leaving the building after which point she had been followed through the town by an investigating officer.Mr McGrath said investigators also had some footage of her leaving the building after which point she had been followed through the town by an investigating officer.
'Excellent example''Excellent example'
He explained that because of the extreme level of incapacilty Mrs Lewis had declared, she had been given the highest rate of mobility allowance.He explained that because of the extreme level of incapacilty Mrs Lewis had declared, she had been given the highest rate of mobility allowance.
"The CCTV footage tended to suggest otherwise" he added."The CCTV footage tended to suggest otherwise" he added.
Recorder Rees said he was in no doubt that a custodial sentence was appropriate but he added he was certain Lewis had shown genuine remorse and would never commit such offences again.Recorder Rees said he was in no doubt that a custodial sentence was appropriate but he added he was certain Lewis had shown genuine remorse and would never commit such offences again.
But the judge added if he did she could expect "a long time in the slammer." But the judge added if she did she could expect "a long time in the slammer."
Lewis had admitted the offences over a four year period in May.Lewis had admitted the offences over a four year period in May.
The court heard she was previously of good character and "petrified" of going to jail.The court heard she was previously of good character and "petrified" of going to jail.
Brian Evans, senior fraud Investigator for the DWP in Wales added:Brian Evans, senior fraud Investigator for the DWP in Wales added:
"This is an excellent example of how DWP, in partnership with local authorities, is taking action against more fraudsters than ever before.""This is an excellent example of how DWP, in partnership with local authorities, is taking action against more fraudsters than ever before."