"People are trusted to do the right thing... you did not": Mum claimed £28,000 in disability payments - but is then caught walking unaided
25.04.2022 - 08:45
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A mum who claimed up to £28,000 in disability benefits was rumbled by investigators after she was caught walking unaided. Cheryl Topham, 54, had initially been legitimately claiming Disability Living Allowance since 1992 after suffering from a number of health conditions which impacted her ability to walk and look after herself.
In 2015, she also received Employment Support Allowance legitimately. However, in 2017 she underwent a knee replacement which was successful, yet failed to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of her condition.
From then, she continued receiving payments into her bank account and was overpaid £28,263.70. Investigators became suspicious following a tip-off, and surveillance revealed her walking unaided, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
READ MORE: GMP responds after judge BLASTS investigation into prolific shoplifter
In a further appointment to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP), she turned up to the centre using crutches. Topham, of Ashton-under-Lyne, pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting entitlement to benefits and dishonestly making a false statement to obtain benefits.
Topham’s initial application for disability allowance stated she suffered from a number of ailments including carpal tunnel syndrome, and said these conditions affected her ability to walk and look after herself, prosecutor John Richards said. “As a result her application was approved in November 1999 and this was moved to Employment Support Allowance in March 2015,” he said.
“She was told to inform DWP if anything changed. The investigator for DWP then became aware of allegations about the defendant and after that was authorised for surveillance between