Mother claiming mobility benefits spotted at gym
A mother-of-three who received £4,000 in benefits after claiming she had severe mobility problems was seen regularly using a gym, a court heard.
Aaisha Arif was a member at the Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge and had not mentioned any disability problems to staff, Dudley Magistrates Court heard.
The 42-year-old had also been captured on video surveillance equipment walking normally in Brierley Hill High Street and by her home.
Arif, of Kingsway, Wollaston, Stourbridge, pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to notify change of circumstances affecting entitlement to social security benefit.
One related to claims for Disability Living Allowance between January 26, 2011, and September 13 this year. The second charge regarding claims for Disability Living Allowance between January 20 last year and April 4 2012.
In total, £4,153 was claimed between January 26, 2011, and April 4 this year.
Chairman of the bench Mr Leonard Redden fined Arif £290 with a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs. She has already agreed to pay back the benefits to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Miss Lynda Gudgeon, prosecuting, said Arif received Disability Living Allowance in June 2007 after claiming she was "severely restricted" in her movement. But when benefits officers checked last year they found she was a member at the Bell Street centre.
Miss Gudgeon added when leisure centre staff, including the gym manager, were questioned, they said they were unaware Arif had "any issues regarding her disability".
Mr Sundip Murria, defending, said: "This is a case where the initial application was a correct application as she did have mobility problems."
