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| Martial art benefit cheat tip-off | Martial art benefit cheat tip-off |
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| A single mother who claimed thousands of pounds in disability benefits attended martial arts classes and took part in a tournament, a court heard. | A single mother who claimed thousands of pounds in disability benefits attended martial arts classes and took part in a tournament, a court heard. |
| Caerphilly magistrates heard how Deanna James, 44, of Newbridge, claimed £2,142.95 after a crash in 2003. | Caerphilly magistrates heard how Deanna James, 44, of Newbridge, claimed £2,142.95 after a crash in 2003. |
| James, was caught out after an anonymous tip-off to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) hotline. | James, was caught out after an anonymous tip-off to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) hotline. |
| She agreed to pay back the money and was given a nine-month supervision order. | She agreed to pay back the money and was given a nine-month supervision order. |
| The court heard how following a car collision in November 2003, James claimed she needed mobility help, supervision outdoors and help at home during the day. | The court heard how following a car collision in November 2003, James claimed she needed mobility help, supervision outdoors and help at home during the day. |
| Then in June 2006 she increased her claims to the highest possible available - saying she was still suffering from the injuries. | Then in June 2006 she increased her claims to the highest possible available - saying she was still suffering from the injuries. |
| Green belt | Green belt |
| But following an anonymous tip-off, DWP investigators saw a photograph of her on a Tae Kwon Do website, in a martial arts pose. | But following an anonymous tip-off, DWP investigators saw a photograph of her on a Tae Kwon Do website, in a martial arts pose. |
| She was a member of the Oakdale Taw Kwon Do school in Blackwood, where she had risen to green belt level and had fought in tournaments. | She was a member of the Oakdale Taw Kwon Do school in Blackwood, where she had risen to green belt level and had fought in tournaments. |
| Jonathan Holmes, prosecuting, told the court that James had also taken part in a five-kilometre run, the Race For Life, in Cardiff during June last year. | |
| In an interview under caution, James told DWP investigators that she had been doing Tae Kwon Do for six months and that the exercise had improved her condition. | In an interview under caution, James told DWP investigators that she had been doing Tae Kwon Do for six months and that the exercise had improved her condition. |
| This is not a case of somebody who was claiming incapacity and going around in Tae Kwon Do fights. She was merely training Graham Davies, defending | This is not a case of somebody who was claiming incapacity and going around in Tae Kwon Do fights. She was merely training Graham Davies, defending |
| "When she was arrested she said she was not capable at first when she started the Tae Kwon Do lessons," Mr Holmes told the court. | "When she was arrested she said she was not capable at first when she started the Tae Kwon Do lessons," Mr Holmes told the court. |
| "She claimed the lessons had improved her condition. But she still had the injuries from the accident and didn't notify the department." | "She claimed the lessons had improved her condition. But she still had the injuries from the accident and didn't notify the department." |
| The single mum-of-two admitted failing to notify the DWP of her change in circumstances and dishonestly obtaining disability benefit. | The single mum-of-two admitted failing to notify the DWP of her change in circumstances and dishonestly obtaining disability benefit. |
| The court heard how she has been paying back the money at £8.70 a week since January and it will take her nearly five years to clear it. | The court heard how she has been paying back the money at £8.70 a week since January and it will take her nearly five years to clear it. |
| Graham Davies, defending, said: "This is not a case of somebody who was claiming incapacity and going around in Tae Kwon Do fights. She was merely training." | Graham Davies, defending, said: "This is not a case of somebody who was claiming incapacity and going around in Tae Kwon Do fights. She was merely training." |
| Magistrate Christopher Rowlands sentenced James to a nine-month supervision order. | Magistrate Christopher Rowlands sentenced James to a nine-month supervision order. |