Organ courier was benefit fraud

Garry Lewis continued claiming benefits while running his own firm

A man who transported human organs around the UK for the NHS has been jailed after falsely claiming £46,000 in disability benefits while working.

Despite saying he was too weak to work after an illness, Swansea Crown Court heard how Garry Lewis, 53, was actually running a medical courier firm.

But he did not tell the Department for Work and Pensions that he was working and continued to claim benefits.

Lewis from Pontardawe, Swansea was jailed for nine months.

The court heard how Lewis set up Medicall Wales Ltd from his home to transport organs including human hearts, lungs and kidneys to NHS hospitals for transplants.

Over a period of nine years, Lewis's courier company was paid nearly £200,000 by the NHS but at the same time, he was being paid disability benefits and income support.

The judge heard how Lewis told benefits officials: "I cannot stand up for more than a minute.

"I cannot turn on a tap or kitchen hob nor walk more than a few steps without being in severe pain. I'm unable to walk any real distance."

Courier

But prosecutor Carl Harrison said: "At the same he was running his own specialist business transporting organs throughout the UK including Scotland and Ireland.

"He was a director and also carried out the majority of the transportation himself.

"The company was paid on average £21,000 a year since 1998.

"Lewis was the main driver in the company and would drive these organs from one part of the country to another.

"He did not notify the Department of Work and Pensions and continued to claim income support and disability allowance."

The court was given details of the benefits Lewis received.

He had £18,692 in disability allowance, £16,826 in income support, £10,517 in housing benefit and £847 in council tax.

He was caught following a review into his claim to continue receiving benefits.

'Plainly dishonest

When he was confronted about his business activities, Lewis claimed that his brother was running the company, but during a second interview he admitted the major role he played.

Lewis admitted four charges of failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions about a change in circumstance and asked for another 62 similar offences to be taken into account.

Catherine Richards, defending, said Lewis was ashamed of what he had done and said: "He has tried throughout his life to be compassionate and caring to others. He has volunteered for the Red Cross.

"He has expressed his remorse and shame. It was plainly dishonest but it was not an organised fraud.

"The shame of this is very public. That in itself is punishment for Mr Lewis."

She said Lewis had started to repay towards the illegal benefits at £5 a month.

Recorder Robert Britton said: "This was a blatant dishonest act on your part."