Benefits fraudster ordered to repay £20,000 after lie about condition caught on camera

The fraudster exaggerated the extent of her condition when claiming Personal Independence Payment in 2020, telling officials she could not stand at the cooker and found it difficult to get out of the bath unaided.

Morris also claimed she was so anxious when leaving home that even collecting medication from the pharmacy left her in tears.

However, the mother-of-three was secretly competing in running events and was caught through her own Facebook posts.

Morris was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005 but significantly exaggerated her symptoms when applying for benefits.

After being sentenced to prison last year, a court has now ordered the 50-year-old to also repay the money.

She had claimed benefits when telling the DWP she struggled with basic daily tasks and used a walking stick when feeling tired and unsteady.

The court heard Morris reported receiving assistance in almost every aspect of her life. She claimed some days her stress and anxiety left her housebound.

Despite these claims, Morris was a member of Stone Master Marathoners running club and regularly participated in 5km and 10km races.

She competed in 73 races between May 2019 and December 2022 but failed to inform the DWP of her athletic activities.

Morris was overpaid £20,528.83 between October 2020 and April 2023.

Investigators carried out surveillance on Morris from February 5 to February 20, 2023, which revealed the extent of her deception.

Prosecutor Regan Walters told the court: "On February 5 she took part in a five-mile race and was seen running without assistance and showed no signs of balance problems."

He added: "On February 11 she was seen running with the Stone Master Marathoners and showed no signs of discomfort."

The DWP obtained photographs of Morris and Facebook posts she had taken herself showing her participation in marathons, races and orienteering events.

The first photograph was taken just one month after she signed her initial claim form. Morris had even competed in a race two days before making her original PIP application, yet never reported any improvement in her condition to the DWP.

Morris admitted dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefit and was jailed for eight months in July 2024.

During a recent proceeds of crime hearing, Judge Graeme Smith was told Morris benefited from her criminality to the tune of £22,386.02 and the available amount was £60,000.

He ordered Morris to repay £22,386.02 within 28 days or serve nine months in prison in default. Morris must also pay a £187 surcharge.

The court heard that Morris would not have been awarded PIP had she been honest about her condition. Prosecutor Regan Walters said: "The benefit was paid on the basis she would notify the DWP of any changes which affected the amount of benefits."

Paul Cliff, defending Morris, told the court the severity of her condition's "impact ebbs and flows to a degree". He said: "But it is accepted by her that the application did not give the full picture. It crossed over into the realms of dishonesty."

The court heard Morris's marriage broke down in spring 2020, leading to financial difficulties. She did not enjoy a lavish lifestyle as a result of her fraudulent claim, Cliff said.

He added: "She lost her home because of financial problems and was struggling to keep her head above water financially. The application did not give the full picture. She did say running was one of the ways she tried to manage her multiple sclerosis. She has found it difficult to come to terms with her dishonesty."