Benefits cheat Anthony Cleverley ordered to pay back £15,000

Apr 22 2009 by Adam Aspinall, Birmingham Mail

He was also given a two-year community service order to include 300 hours unpaid work and told to pay £425 costs.

As far back as June 1998, Cleverley stated he was incapable of work but no longer required the use of his wheelchair, although he still used a stick and was limited to short distances on a good day.

He also claimed in November 1998 that he still required help throughout the day with his personal care and was only able to walk 20 metres before stopping, although on a good day he was able to go around the supermarket holding a trolley.

Today, DWP Anti Fraud Minister Tony McNulty said: “We are taking a tough line on benefit thieves because last year they stole around £0.8 billion – money that could be spent on schools and hospitals.

“If you commit benefit theft, don’t expect to get away with it. Our investigators are equipped with a wide range of powers and techniques to track you down.

“We are catching more and more of those who steal money intended for vulnerable people, and when we track them down they face heavy penalties.”

Anyone with information should call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440.