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| 'Disabled' bodybuilder Peter Beddoe jailed for fraud | 'Disabled' bodybuilder Peter Beddoe jailed for fraud |
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| A former Mr Wales who falsely claimed £28,332 in disability benefits whilst competing in bodybuilding contests has been jailed for six months. | A former Mr Wales who falsely claimed £28,332 in disability benefits whilst competing in bodybuilding contests has been jailed for six months. |
| Peter Beddoe, 49, of Aberdare, claimed he was too weak to walk, but went to the gym almost daily and competed all over the country. | Peter Beddoe, 49, of Aberdare, claimed he was too weak to walk, but went to the gym almost daily and competed all over the country. |
| Merthyr Crown Court heard his eight-year claim was genuine at first, but his pain management had since improved. | Merthyr Crown Court heard his eight-year claim was genuine at first, but his pain management had since improved. |
| Beddoe admitted fraud but said "everyone exaggerates their claims". | Beddoe admitted fraud but said "everyone exaggerates their claims". |
| The 2009 South Coast Bodybuilding Champion was receiving a higher rate of disability allowance meant for people who cannot walk, after claiming he needed a walking stick or crutches to get around. | |
| But he was regularly seen on stage tanned and oiled up for competitions. | |
| A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) investigation found that between 2008 and 2013 he visited the gym more than 1,100 times and used weights in his training sessions. | |
| The court heard Beddoe took up the sport to build up the muscles around his spine after an accident at the age of 30. | |
| He legitimately claimed disability benefit at the time but failed to notify the DWP his condition had improved. |