‘Disabled’ fraudster climbed mountain

A man who claimed thousands of pounds in disability benefits despite climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, winning a triathlon and competing at the Phoenix Winter Games has been convicted of fraud, prosecutors said.

Mark Lloyd, 33, claimed £6,551.80 in Personal Independence Payments (PIP) from October 2014 to February 2016 due to what he said were severe restrictions to his mobility and ability to care for himself after suffering a back injury and PTSD in the army.

Lloyd, from Pontypridd, South Wales, had denied one count of dishonestly failing to disclose information to make a gain for himself but was convicted following a trial at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The court heard how Lloyd told benefits assessors that he could not bend or stretch, needed walking aids and suffered pain when walking short distances.

He was found to have overstated these needs and during the 18-month period of claiming benefits, he had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro over five days and walked for between eight and 12 hours a day.

Lloyd also took part in the World Powerboat Championships in Malta and competed in a triathlon.