Marathon man admits benefit fraud

The benefit cheat competed in the London Marathon

A man who ran several marathons while claiming disability benefits has pleaded guilty to fraud.

Paul Appleby, 47, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, started claiming in 1994 - saying he needed a wheelchair or walking frame to walk.

But Appleby, who claimed £22,300 in total, joined a running club in 2001, competing in road races and marathons.

Appleby admitted the fraud in December and will be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court next week.

A spokesman from the Department of Work and Pensions confirmed Appleby had been receiving the highest rate of disability allowance since March 1994.

As well as running the London Marathon, Appleby was the top-placed Sutton-in-Ashfield Harriers runner in the 2006 Robin Hood Marathon in Nottingham, coming 261st out of 1,118 finishers.

He admitted charges of fraud at Mansfield Magistrates Court in December.