PICTURED: Rotherham benefits cheat who claimed she couldn't walk unaided caught riding horse
Michelle Hanney (51, pictured) claimed both Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit, saying she could only walk between 20 and 50 metres and needed a wheelchair when going outside.
But investigators from Department for Work and Pensions spotted Facebook pictures showing her walking without any aids and even riding a horse, with follow-up surveillance showing her walking the horse.
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Hide AdThe DWP said Hanney, of South Street, Greasbrough, had been caught stealing £33,711.24 in benefits but convicted on a lesser amount of £10,384.50.
She appeared before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was sentenced to a 12-month community order, whilst the DWP plans to take steps to recover the full ill-gotten gains.
Hanney was also ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge but no order for costs was made.
Tom Pursglove, the minister responsible for tackling fraud, said: “The vast majority of disability benefit claims are correct, and we know the difference that these benefits can make to people.
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Hide Ad“However, there is a small minority of people out to cheat the system.
“This conviction is another example of our relentless focus on finding those taking the taxpayer for a ride and bringing them to justice.”
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