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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Disability cheat was football ref | Disability cheat was football ref |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A man claiming disability benefits because of a back injury was secretly filmed refereeing a football match. | A man claiming disability benefits because of a back injury was secretly filmed refereeing a football match. |
| Department of Work and Pensions officials were tipped off about Christopher Stockwell, 52, of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire. | |
| At Haverfordwest magistrates' court, Stockwell admitted receiving £9,034 of disability living allowances. | At Haverfordwest magistrates' court, Stockwell admitted receiving £9,034 of disability living allowances. |
| He will be sentenced on 7 April once a doctor has decided if he is fit enough to do community service. | He will be sentenced on 7 April once a doctor has decided if he is fit enough to do community service. |
| Stockwell was bailed until then. | Stockwell was bailed until then. |
| Karen Knox, prosecuting, told the court that officials turned up at the Ponthenry v Kidwelly match in the League of Wales and filmed Stockwell as he raced onto the field. | Karen Knox, prosecuting, told the court that officials turned up at the Ponthenry v Kidwelly match in the League of Wales and filmed Stockwell as he raced onto the field. |
| A large amount of money is involved and the claims were over a long period of time Brian Hearne, chairman of the magistrates' bench | A large amount of money is involved and the claims were over a long period of time Brian Hearne, chairman of the magistrates' bench |
| Miss Knox said he had been claiming disability benefits since October 1996. | Miss Knox said he had been claiming disability benefits since October 1996. |
| He was being paid at a level reserved for those who were in a wheelchair or could move only on crutches or with a walking stick. | He was being paid at a level reserved for those who were in a wheelchair or could move only on crutches or with a walking stick. |
| He was also getting benefits to help him wash himself at home, she said, because of the degree of his disability. | He was also getting benefits to help him wash himself at home, she said, because of the degree of his disability. |
| Stockwell admitted failing to notify the department of a change that would affect his allowances. | Stockwell admitted failing to notify the department of a change that would affect his allowances. |
| Depression | Depression |
| His solicitor, Steven Donoghue, said he had suffered a serious back injury after falling at work in 1996. | His solicitor, Steven Donoghue, said he had suffered a serious back injury after falling at work in 1996. |
| But he gradually improved and found that painkillers enabled him to get around. He was encouraged to return to refereeing as a way out of depression. | But he gradually improved and found that painkillers enabled him to get around. He was encouraged to return to refereeing as a way out of depression. |
| Miss Knox said Stockwell had a previous conviction for claiming unemployment benefits when he was in fact working. | Miss Knox said Stockwell had a previous conviction for claiming unemployment benefits when he was in fact working. |
| Brian Hearne, the chairman of the bench, said: "This is a serious matter and there are some aggravating features about it. | Brian Hearne, the chairman of the bench, said: "This is a serious matter and there are some aggravating features about it. |
| "A large amount of money is involved and the claims were over a long period of time." | "A large amount of money is involved and the claims were over a long period of time." |
| The magistrates told Stockwell they would order him to carry out unpaid work for the community - but only if his doctor said he was fit enough. | The magistrates told Stockwell they would order him to carry out unpaid work for the community - but only if his doctor said he was fit enough. |