Footballer claimed disability benefit

The Daily Mail reports on a disability claimant who is somehow able to play football.

A benefits cheat who falsely claimed £11,000 in disability allowance after falling from a ladder was caught out after he was filmed playing Sunday league football.

Kevin Freeman had claimed it took him 10 minutes to walk just 18 yards with the use of a stick and kept a mattress on his living room floor which he told visitors he slept on when he could not get upstairs.

The 31-year-old, who had claimed disability allowance and incapacity benefit for nearly 10 years, narrowly avoided jail after he was filmed sprinting across the pitch.

Freeman, of Bilston, near Wolverhampton, repeatedly told job centre officials he was unable to perform simple tasks since falling from a ladder in 1999.

But the fraudster was caught out playing football for The Great Western pub team in Wolverhampton's East Park after a tip off.

Freeman admitted two counts of failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances between October 2008 and July 2009 when he appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court yesterday.

During that period, he fraudulently claimed £11,217 of benefits which he was not entitled to.

Catherine McTigue, prosecuting, said Freeman would also play indoor football and train twice a week during the time he was claiming disability.

He had registered for the Wolverhampton and District Sunday League team under a false name and address.

She said: 'During the filming he was seen stretching jumping and massaging his legs.

'At one point he sprints to the ball, falls over and gets back up again.'
Kevin Freeman

Caught out: Freeman can be seen smiling and doing keepy uppy while playing for a Sunday league team in Wolverhampton

Debbie Cartwright, defending, said her client's injuries were severe but that he had been taking 'tentative steps' back to full fitness.

Freeman was sentenced to a three-month jail term suspended for two years.

He was also placed on a six-month supervision order.

In addition, Freeman was ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work and pay £300 costs.

After the case, Freeman said: 'I've said I'm sorry but what's done is done. I just want to get a job.'

One commenter there writes that "People who cheat on benefits and are caught should be banned for the rest of their lives from ever claiming again".

I wouldn't go that far. Benefit thieves should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.

I do agree, though, that if you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.