Benefit cheat jailed after working 10k races and going gymnasium whereas claiming £25k PIP

Helen Green, 49, told benefits assessors she could not walk more than 50 metres unaided, but was found to be running 10k races and attending gym classes in a DWP sting

View 7 Images

A benefits fraudster who pocketed £25,000 by pretending she was housebound has been locked up after being caught completing a 10k race and participating in gym sessions. Helen Green, 49, informed benefits assessors she couldn’t walk more than 50 metres without assistance before being filmed attending Body Combat and spin classes.

She had applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) after claiming she suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis in every joint and a slipped disc. Green, of Shrewsbury, admitted one charge of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting entitlement to social security benefit/advantage/payment.

She was sentenced to seven months behind bars at Shrewsbury Crown Court today (Tue). The court was told that Green did suffer from genuine conditions – rheumatoid arthritis, varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, and knee problems – and was rightfully awarded Personal Independence Payments in 2016.

Harry Dickens, prosecuting, said from 2020 to 2023 Green had failed to inform the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of an improvement in her conditions.

DWP investigators discovered she had participated in three 10k races across Shropshire in 2020 and 2021 – in Market Drayton, Shawbury, and Shrewsbury – one of which was finished in one hour and three minutes.

When questioned about her activities she denied running the races and told officers she had walked the routes. Mr Dickens stated: “When interviewed she denied competing in any races and said she was a social member and walked with the Shropshire Shufflers.

“When asked about the races she said she had walked them.”

The court heard that the total amount fraudulently claimed amounted to £25,244.35p. Green had also been using a Motability car, and had told officials that she required staff assistance with her shopping bags due to her difficulties.

However, video evidence presented to the court showed her carrying her own bags to her car. Mr Dickens outlined how in 2021 Green had actually informed the DWP that her condition had worsened, and that she was struggling with tasks such as preparing food and getting dressed.

In December 2022, she reported to the DWP that she was still experiencing difficulties, stating that she needed a crutch to walk and could not cover more than 50 metres.

Mr Dickens described her claim as “somewhat remarkable given the physical activity she had been undertaking”. The court learned that Green was a member at Shrewsbury Sports Village where she participated in Body Combat, Zumba, and spin classes among others.

Footage of Green participating in these classes was shown in court, along with a photograph of her running in the Market Drayton 10k.

Mr Dickens mentioned that Green’s personal trainer had noted she would occasionally withdraw from some sessions due to health issues.

The court was informed that Green was a member of the Shropshire Shufflers running club – even featuring in a photograph on the front of its magazine.

Mr Dickens stated that when questioned about her actions, Green arrived on crutches and claimed she had attempted to inform the DWP of a change in circumstances regarding her being advised to do strength and conditioning but “could not get a word in edgeways”.

Mr Dickens said they found no record of the call. When shown footage of her participating in gym classes, Green said she “had more good days than she used to” and she was “keeping herself mobile”.

He told the court that Green’s actions were “cynical and opportunistic” and “fundamentally dishonest,” adding: “She played fast and loose with what she told people – be it the DWP or other sport and leisure organisations she signed up to.”

He added: “It is not disputed that these conditions may have existed but the extent to which they had an effect on her was clearly misrepresented.”

Mr Dickens described the offence as “egregious”, adding: “The defendant simply saw there were no consequences to what she was telling the authorities and the organisations she was involved in.”

Kevin Jones, defending, said she was a woman with no previous convictions and exemplary character who had already repaid £2,000.

He said Green had suffered from the conditions, which are lifelong issues, but that the problem had been not declaring that she had “good days”.

Mr Jones stated that she was “embarrassed” and pleaded with the court to consider a suspended sentence, highlighting her good character, the fact that the claim wasn’t fraudulent from the start, that the money will be repaid, and that the probation service assesses her as having a low risk of reoffending.

Sentencing Judge Trevor Meegan reminded Green of her obligation to inform the DWP of any improvement in her condition.

He said: “You presented a picture to the DWP of significant and ongoing disability – by way of example you said you could only walk for 20 to 50 metres unaided.”

However, he pointed out that the reality was Green was capable of a level of activity far beyond what she had reported to the authorities, including participating in “demanding fitness classes” such as Zumba, body pump, Body Combat and spin.

He added: “Most significantly you were a member of Shropshire Shufflers and took part in three organised 10k races in 2020 and 2021.

“Achieving running times of around an hour to run 10,000 metres in this time is indicative of substantial physical ability.”

The judge described her claim that she had been a “social walker” in the races as “laughable”, adding: “It is incredible and implausible.”

Judge Meegan noted that the offending spanned a “substantial” period of three years, during which there were repeated failures to disclose improvements in her condition – and at times she had even claimed they were worsening.

However, he stated that “offences of this matter clearly call for a deterrent message to be sent to other potential benefit fraudsters,” and that he was not prepared to suspend her sentence.

He said: “To suspend the sentence would fail to properly reflect the gravity of your offending.”

Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western commented after the case: “This is a slap in the face to taxpayers and the genuine claimants who depend on PIP to live their lives.

“Helen Green wasn’t just burning calories at the gym, she was also peddling lies and our investigators caught up with her.

“Let this be a warning – you can’t outrun the DWP.”

Mandy Tobias of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Helen Green pretended she had limited movement, but instead was a regular runner and active in gym classes. She did this for her own greed and lined her pockets with fraudulently obtained money.

“The Crown Prosecution Service presented strong evidence thanks to the investigation work of the DWP showing Green’s deception, resulting in her guilty plea.”