Jailed...bodybuilder who conned £47,000 in disability benefits
A BODYBUILDER swindled more than £47,000 in disability benefits while spending hours working out in the gym and competing in international events.
Malcolm Sherratt, 64, was jailed after falsely claiming he struggled to walk, needed a wheelchair and required help to get up, get dressed and use the toilet.
He received benefits for seven years despite regularly honing his muscular figure and entering competitions, including Mr Universe.
Sherratt pocketed a total of £47,317 in disability benefits before Department for Work and Pensions investigators secretly filmed him working out in a gym in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.
The grandfather was jailed for 12 months on Friday after he admitted five counts of fraud at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
He first lodged a benefit claim in November 2007 and received disability living allowance, income support and pension credit payments. He received the highest level of mobility award as part of his allowance, a payment usually granted to amputees or people who are virtually unable to walk.
He was also in the middle band for the care element of his payments, which is paid to those who need help with their “bodily functions” or require constant supervision.
Prosecutor Samantha Crabb said: “He had been bodybuilding at a competitive level since 2007, which was when he first made his claim. He was a member of the Strength Asylum gym from November 2013 and logs show he attended on 195 out of a possible 355 days, often on consecutive days.
“In December 2014 surveillance was carried out at the gym. He was observed to walk normally across the car park.
“He walked briskly on the treadmill for 15 minutes and then used the cross-trainer. He did a variety of exercises using free weights up to 35kg (77lb).”
Investigators discovered videos online of Sherratt appearing in competitions. He got to third place in one.
Sherratt, of Stoke-on-Trent, said he went to the gym for social reasons and never used free weights, the treadmill or cardiomachines.
He claimed his muscular physique was “99 per cent down to diet”.
Kevin Mortlock, mitigating, said Sherratt suffered from the back condition spondylosis, adding: “He accepts the claim forms were exaggerated.”