Benefits fraudster jailed after 10k race and gym photos expose her lie

Helen Green was jailed for seven months after pleading guilty to dishonestly failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances, having claimed £25,244 in PIP benefits

A woman who pocketed £25,000 in benefits after claiming she was housebound has been brought to justice after photographs surfaced showing her completing a demanding 10k race and kicking an opponent during her combat session.

Helen Green successfully defrauded the Department for Work and Pensions out of the substantial amount after claiming Personal Independence Payment, a tax-free welfare benefit for individuals requiring assistance with additional costs arising from a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.

However, the fraudster, who claimed to suffer from severe rheumatoid arthritis, was exposed after video material emerged of her exercising at the gym and images of the 49-year-old participating in the race were submitted to investigators. She had informed the DWP she could scarcely feed herself, let alone venture outdoors and was unable to walk for more than five minutes without crutches.

Yet, photographs from a 10k race revealed her competently covering the distance without any crutches. Ms Green was also captured on security cameras at the gym participating in Zumba, Body Combat, Body Pump, Core Blast and Spin classes after the DWP was alerted to her deception through a tip-off to their fraud line.

She has appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court and was accused of falsely claiming £42,013 but her guilty plea related to an amended charge of £25,244. She was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to dishonestly failing to notify DWP of a change in circumstances. Green dishonestly informed the DWP she required help with washing, bathing, dressing, preparing meals, eating and drinking in her claim between January 2020 and March 2023, reports the Mirror.

She even declared in her PIP paperwork her condition was permanent and anticipated to deteriorate over time. However, Green was caught out following a tip-off and an investigation was promptly initiated. Video evidence released by the DWP revealed a montage of Green exercising at the gym, as well as her smiling and gesturing during a combat class where she was seen kicking another participant.

Labour’s Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western said: “This is a slap in the face to taxpayers and the genuine claimants who depend on PIP to live their lives.

“Helen Green wasn’t just burning calories at the gym, she was also peddling lies and our investigators caught up with her.

“Let this be a warning – you can’t outrun the DWP.” Mandy Tobias of the Crown Prosecution Service added: “Helen Green pretended she had limited movement, but instead was a regular runner and active in gym classes.

“She did this for her own greed and lined her pockets with fraudulently obtained money.

“The Crown Prosecution Service presented strong evidence thanks to the investigation work of the DWP showing Green’s deception, resulting in her guilty plea.”