Council candidate's benefit fraud

A former council candidate who falsely claimed almost £50,000 in benefits has been jailed for one year.

Clive Parsons, 64, of Cotswold Close, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, stood as a Liberal Democrat candidate for Wyre Forest District Council in April 2007.

He admitted falsely claiming benefits between 2002 and 2007.

Worcester Crown Court heard he claimed he could only walk two yards (1.8m) in 20 seconds but was secretly filmed walking briskly from his house.

Security work

He received £48,863 in benefits over five years before he was filmed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in 2007.

Its footage showed Parsons walking completely unaided and using a cane to go shopping and getting on and off buses by himself.

He had claimed he needed someone to support him while walking.

While claiming benefits, Parsons also worked as a doorman at Kidderminster Harriers Supporters' and Social Club earning an average of £100 per week .

'Client unwell'

He admitted the charges of false representation to obtain money by deception between December 2002 and July 2007, making false claims and failing to notify the authorities of a change in his circumstances which regulations under the act required.

His defence said he was not a well man and the benefits claim had started legitimately. He was illiterate and confused but accepted he had made statements that were incorrect.

Parsons received £18,050 in Disability Living Allowance, £21,464 in Incapacity Benefit and £9,348 in Pension Credit, between December 2002 and July 2007.

The court told him he must repay the benefits he had falsely claimed.

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Department for Work and Pensions
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