A 49-year-old woman in Shrewsbury, England, has been sentenced to seven months in prison for defrauding the government of over £25,000 (approximately 1,527,767 Turkish Lira) in disability benefits. Helen Green claimed she could not walk without crutches due to severe rheumatoid arthritis and back pain.

'WALKING WITHOUT A CRUTCH IS IMPOSSIBLE'

Green's application for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) stated that she could not walk without a crutch and was unable to meet her daily needs without assistance.

ENJOYING INTENSE FITNESS CLASSES

However, an investigation prompted by a fraud hotline revealed that Green regularly attended fitness classes, including zumba, spinning, body combat, and core blast. Security camera footage also showed that she was a member of a running club and had completed a 10-kilometer race in approximately one hour.

CLAIMED NEARLY £42,000 IN FRAUDULENT BENEFITS

The investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found that Green had claimed nearly £42,000 in fraudulent benefits. In court, she admitted to not reporting a change in her condition that would have reduced her entitlement to £25,244.

SENTENCED TO SEVEN MONTHS IN PRISON

At the Shrewsbury Crown Court, Green was sentenced to seven months in prison. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that Green had misused public resources by falsely claiming her mobility was severely restricted.