Poledance trainer caught claiming advantages should pay again £13,000

A benefits fraudster who was caught advertising £60-a-time pole dance lessons has been ordered to pay back £13,000.

Angela Elizabeth Clare, 45, fiddled £28,000 in benefits by claiming she needed help to cook and wash because of her poor physical health.

But she was caught posting videos of herself on social media that showed she was able to hang upside down and perform the splits in adverts for her classes. 

She also failed to notify the authorities after winning £30,000 in the Postcode Lottery in 2021.

At a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday, Clare was ordered by the judge to pay back £13,176, the sum of her total assets, within three months.

Angela Elizabeth Clare, 45, fiddled £28,000 benefits by saying she had poor physical health but posted social media videos showing she was able to hang upside down and do the splits

Ms Clare was running pole dancing and yoga classes which she advertised online

She also failed to notify the authorities of her £30,000 Postcode Lottery win in 2021

Clare was getting taxpayer’s money in Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, and housing benefit between 2016 and 2022. 

Cardiff Crown Court heard in April she claimed she ‘was unable to cook for herself, needed assistance washing and bathing, and required constant monitoring to take her medication’.

Prosecutor Ross McQuillan-Johnson said this description was a ‘marked difference’ compared to a number of TikTok videos she posted as well as posts on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Clare was also caught reviewing a local pole dance studio – saying it had ‘good vibes that instantly put you at peace’. 

She additionally offered services on a freelance basis as an on-call instructor for yoga classes, with beginner classes costing £60 per person.

A judge had heard the benefit claims were initially genuine – but Clare failed to notify that her health had improved enough to take up the pole dancing. 

Cardiff Crown Court heard Clare claimed she was unable to cook for herself, needed assistance washing and bathing, and required constant monitoring to take her medication (stock photo)

Clare, of Abersychan, Pontypool, Gwent, pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions and Torfaen Council of a change of circumstances.

The court heard she was of previous good character.

Adam Sharp, defending, said: ‘She is utterly ashamed by what she had done.’

Mr Sharp said Clare had made some repayments of the benefit cash.

But he added she still had underlying and serious medical conditions, including the loss of a breast and the requirement of a stoma bag, as well as long standing mental health issues.

Sentencing, Recorder Robin Rouch sentenced Clare to 18 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months.

She was also made subject to a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will be started in a bid to reclaimed some of the money.

At a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday the court heard Clare benefited to the tune of £27,412 but only has assets worth £13,176.

Judge Carl Harrison ordered her to pay that sum within three months.