THIS is the moment a benefit cheat who swindled £37,000 by claiming she was too sick to even bathe was caught pulling pints in a pub.
Tina Farnsworth lied about her health conditions to claim Payment (PIP) at the enhanced rate for three years.
Footage showed Tina Farnsworth pulling pints while claiming she was too sick to work
She was handed a suspended sentence today Credit: nb press ltd
The 57-year-old told the Department of Work and she was too sick to even prepare food or wash and dress herself.
Farnsworth also claimed she could not mix with people or even drive or walk for more than 50m without assistance.
But surveillance video showed her working behind a bar, pulling pints and easily lifting heavy items.
A probe was launched and Farnsworth was found to be working at several premises – including Pour House 22 and Black Velvet Bar in Barnsley.
Farnsworth worked at two different pubs
She was also captured reaching up for glasses
She has now been handed a suspended jail sentence after she was convicted of fraud at Crown Court.
Farnsworth first began claiming PIP in August 2019 – telling the DWP she had a litany of health issues that prevented her from carrying out basic tasks.
She insisted she could not stand in one place for more than a few seconds without suffering chronic pain and needed to use a perching stool “at all times”.
In total, she received £37,089 after she “exaggerated” her health problems, the court was told.
Further footage showed her loading up her car
She appeared at Sheffield Crown Court today Credit: nb press ltd
But her web of lies unravelled when investigators received an anonymous tip-off claiming she was working at the pubs.
Footage shows Farnsworth delivering pints to a boozer’s table and reaching up to grab glasses.
She also appeared to lean over the bar with ease and walk around the pub unaided – despite her claims.
Dale Harris, prosecuting, said Farnsworth played an “active role” by “taking orders, serving drinks, taking payments, serving food”.
Further video showed her in a car park loading up the boot of her Range Rover with boxes.
Farnsworth was also filmed walking, driving and shopping alone, despite declaring to the DWP that she relied on her husband to go to the supermarket.
When she spoke with investigators, Farnsworth claimed her PIP application was based on her worst days and said the evidence DWP gathered wasn’t a true representation of her day-to-day health.
Vanessa Saxton, defending, said Farnsworth had been diagnosed with MS aged 36 and had previously been a hard-working restaurant owner.
The DWP said it would attempt to recover the overpayments through the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western said: “The message is clear – don’t think you can steal from hardworking taxpayers.
“Whatever your reasons for committing benefit fraud, know that our investigators are wise to every trick in the book and we will find you.
“And if you know somebody is fleecing the system, report it.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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