Caught on CCTV: Jailed fraudster who claimed £26k in benefits con and advised others
A con-artist who gave legal advice to people suspected of benefit fraud while cheating the system himself has been jailed.
Darren Matthews claimed he couldn't walk more than 'five or six yards' without feeling discomfort but in reality was working in a salon and performing in karaoke competitions.
The 44-year-old fraudulently claimed £26,000 over a seven-year period after claiming he was unable to perform the simplest of tasks, such as putting his socks on or chopping vegetables, without assistance. He had told the authorities he suffered from arthritis in knees, hips, wrist, elbows, back and fingers.
But he was exposed after being secretly filmed striding unaided into Cannock Job Centre to act as the legal representative for someone being quizzed by officials about another benefit scam.
His salon was put under surveillance and Matthews, of Hawkesmoor Road, Stafford, was seen cutting hair, walking unaided to deposit money at a bank and 'play fighting' with others at the premises.
YouTube footage of him playing an Adele song on the piano was also discovered.
Matthews originally received payments for a 'minor disability' but his condition had rapidly improved by 2007, Cannock Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday.
The father-of-five claimed he had sent letters to the DWP in an effort to let them know his condition had improved and that he assumed it had been received but Mr Roger Bleazard, prosecuting, said Matthews, who has a Masters degree in law, was an intelligent man and would have known his payments should have decreased as a result.
Mr Bleazard said: "A tribunal found no sign of disability in 2006 and that remains so throughout the period. He said he had very substantial disability in terms of day-to-day living.
"Mr Matthews' mobility and care needs improved substantially and he failed to declare a change in situation."
Matthews told the court he was 'embarrassed' about his actions but maintained he never intended to cheat the system.
He said: "I made a mistake. I firmly believed I had notified the DWP, I did send letters. Where they went I do not know. I should have contacted them to find out if they had been received.
"I had no intention to defraud anybody or deprive the public purse. I only wanted what I was entitled to. I made a mistake and for that I am embarrassed and can only say sorry for the mistake I made."
Matthews, who was found guilty of failing to notify a change in circumstances following a trial, was jailed for 26 weeks.
Presiding magistrate Colin Evans said: "You are an intelligent man and clearly knew what you were doing."
