DWP PIP cuts blamed on likes of benefit cheat mum as she's forced to pay back £20k
People have slammed the 'audacity' of a benefit cheat mum who falsely claimed more than £20,000.
Sara Morris duped the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) into thinking she was so unwell she struggled to leave the house or look after herself.
The mum-of-three was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005 and exaggerated its effects to claim PIP in 2020.
The 50-year-old said she could not stand at the cooker and found it difficult to get out of the bath unaided.
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Morris also claimed she was so anxious when she left the house that even a trip to the pharmacy to collect her medication left her in tears.
However, in reality she was running multiple 5km and 10km races and even posted pictures of herself competing.
She had failed to tell the DWP that she was a member of the Stone Master Marathoners and was overpaid £20,528.83 between October 20, 2020 and April 25, 2023.
Morris, of Walton Way, Stone, admitted dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefit and was jailed for eight months in July 2024.
During a recent proceeds of crime hearing, Judge Graeme Smith was told Morris benefited from her criminality to the tune of £22,386.02 and the available amount was £60,000.
He ordered Morris to repay £22,386.02 within 28 days or serve nine months in prison in default.
And BirminghamLive readers have slammed the mum's actions saying that people like her are the reason PIP payments are so difficult to obtain.
Karen said: "People like this are the reason genuine disabled are being affected today."
Victoria added: "Because of people like her we [are] going to suffer."
"I'd laugh at the audacity but it's really not funny," Claire added.
Wayne wrote: "How on earth did she manage to get away with it. With my arthritis and other issues I provided medical proof from consultants, doctors, medical exams, blood tests, MRIs and X-rays.
"Did she manage to fool all the latter medical evidence or did no one at the DWP bother to check?"
Lisa added: "So she should pay every penny back."
"And this is the reason why it is so hard to get PIP," Kimberley said.
She added: "I had my first two rejected so I had to get a disability professional to help me with the forms. I struggle walking because of my asthma and old injury."
A court had heard how investigators carried out surveillance on Morris from February 5 to February 20, 2023.
Prosecutor Regan Walters said: "On February 5 she took part in a five-mile race and was seen running without assistance and showed no signs of balance problems.
"On February 11 she was seen running with the Stone Master Marathoners and showed no signs of discomfort."
Morris competed in 73 races between May 2019 and December 2022. During an interview in May 2023, Morris said her MS had worsened and she was suffering from fatigue.
She confirmed she had been a member of Stone Master Marathoners running club prior to making her claim and filled in her PIP form on her worst day, StokeonTrentLive reports.
Paul Cliff, defending, said the 'severity' of her condition's 'impact ebbs and flows to a degree'.
He said: "But it is accepted by her that the application did not give the full picture. It crossed over into the realms of dishonesty."
The court heard how Morris's marriage broke down in the spring of 2020 and she did not enjoy a lavish lifestyle as a result of her fraudulent claim, Mr Cliff said.
He added: "She lost her home because of financial problems and was struggling to keep her head above water financially.
"The application did not give the full picture. She did say running was one of the ways she tried to manage her multiple sclerosis.
"She has found it difficult to come to terms with her dishonesty."
Morris must also pay a £187 surcharge.
At an earlier hearing, the court was told that Morris would not have been awarded PIP had she been honest about her condition.
Mr Walters said: "The benefit was paid on the basis she would notify the DWP of any changes which affected the amount of benefits.
"The DWP obtained photographs of the defendant and some Facebook posts taken by Morris herself.
"She had been taking part in marathons, races and orienteering.
"The first photo was taken a month after she signed her initial claim form.
"The defendant can be seen to have been taking part in a competitive run two days prior to making that initial claim.
"At no point was information received from the defendant reporting any improvement in her condition during her claim for PIP.
"The defendant reported receiving assistance in almost every aspect of her life.
"On some days her stress and anxiety led to her being housebound."
She added she used a walking stick when she felt tired and unsteady.
"The defendant exaggerated her issues throughout the claim process."
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