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| 'Disabled' bodybuilder Peter Beddoe jailed for fraud | 'Disabled' bodybuilder Peter Beddoe jailed for fraud |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The court heard Beddoe took up the sport to build up the muscles around his spine after an accident at the age of 30. |
| 'Disgraceful' | |
| The former hairdresser legitimately claimed disability benefit at the time but failed to notify the DWP his condition had improved. | The former hairdresser legitimately claimed disability benefit at the time but failed to notify the DWP his condition had improved. |
| Beddoe pleaded guilty to two charges of making dishonest representations to claim benefits and one of fraud between 2006 and 2013. | Beddoe pleaded guilty to two charges of making dishonest representations to claim benefits and one of fraud between 2006 and 2013. |
| Judge Recorder Richard Booth said Beddoe's offences were "disgraceful" and so serious that a prison sentence was necessary. | Judge Recorder Richard Booth said Beddoe's offences were "disgraceful" and so serious that a prison sentence was necessary. |
| Speaking after the hearing, Carolyn Davies team fraud leader with the DWP said: "Deliberately not informing us of a change in your condition that may affect your claim is a crime. | Speaking after the hearing, Carolyn Davies team fraud leader with the DWP said: "Deliberately not informing us of a change in your condition that may affect your claim is a crime. |
| "Don't wait for our fraud investigators to find you. Tell us of a change now." | "Don't wait for our fraud investigators to find you. Tell us of a change now." |