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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Marathon runner jailed for fraud | Marathon runner jailed for fraud |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A man who ran several marathons while claiming disability benefits has been given a 10-month prison sentence. | A man who ran several marathons while claiming disability benefits has been given a 10-month prison sentence. |
| Paul Appleby, 47, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, started claiming benefits in 1994 - saying he needed a wheelchair or walking frame to walk. | Paul Appleby, 47, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, started claiming benefits in 1994 - saying he needed a wheelchair or walking frame to walk. |
| But Appleby, who claimed £22,300 in total, joined a running club in 2001, competing in road races and marathons. | But Appleby, who claimed £22,300 in total, joined a running club in 2001, competing in road races and marathons. |
| Appleby admitted the fraud in December and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday. | Appleby admitted the fraud in December and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday. |
| 'Change in circumstances' | 'Change in circumstances' |
| The 47-year-old former miner said he had been forced to retire from work after suffering with back problems and was genuinely disabled. | The 47-year-old former miner said he had been forced to retire from work after suffering with back problems and was genuinely disabled. |
| But the court heard he joined the Sutton-in-Ashfield Harriers running club in 2001 to try to lose weight put on after his retirement, and was still claiming full disability benefit. | But the court heard he joined the Sutton-in-Ashfield Harriers running club in 2001 to try to lose weight put on after his retirement, and was still claiming full disability benefit. |
| Appleby told the court that in five minutes he could only walk 55 yards and if he left the house, had to use a wheelchair. | Appleby told the court that in five minutes he could only walk 55 yards and if he left the house, had to use a wheelchair. |
| But after joining the running club, he went on to take part in several races including the London and Robin Hood Marathons. | But after joining the running club, he went on to take part in several races including the London and Robin Hood Marathons. |
| The prosecution said that after the Department for Work and Pensions questioned him over the benefit claims in 2006, Appleby admitted a "massive change in his circumstances" and said he did not deserve to receive benefits. | The prosecution said that after the Department for Work and Pensions questioned him over the benefit claims in 2006, Appleby admitted a "massive change in his circumstances" and said he did not deserve to receive benefits. |
| This was blatant dishonesty and that ... affects all taxpayers Judge David Price | This was blatant dishonesty and that ... affects all taxpayers Judge David Price |
| Although Appleby did not explain his actions, the prosecution told the court his partner was "seriously mentally ill" and he had been distracted from informing the DWP. | Although Appleby did not explain his actions, the prosecution told the court his partner was "seriously mentally ill" and he had been distracted from informing the DWP. |
| Between December 2001 and January 2006, Appleby claimed a total of £22,300 in overpayments. | Between December 2001 and January 2006, Appleby claimed a total of £22,300 in overpayments. |
| Judge David Price said: "This was blatant dishonesty and that sort of dishonesty affects all taxpayers in this country." | Judge David Price said: "This was blatant dishonesty and that sort of dishonesty affects all taxpayers in this country." |
| The Department of Work and Pensions minister, James Plaskitt MP, said: "Most benefit frauds are small but a few extreme cases involve quite large sums of money. | |
| "What people need to understand who think they can get away with this is that once caught, not only do they face a criminal record and prosecution and possibly even a prison sentence, we will also have the money back as well." | "What people need to understand who think they can get away with this is that once caught, not only do they face a criminal record and prosecution and possibly even a prison sentence, we will also have the money back as well." |