A benefits scrounger who claimed he was so crippled he needed a wheelchair was unmasked as a fake when he was caught JIVING in a 1940s dance competition.
Twinkle toed Terence Read, 61, thought he had shown a clean pair of heels after he pocketed up to £30,500 in welfare handouts - saying his athritis left him ''virtually unable to walk.''
But his fleet footed fakery came unstuck when officers from the DWP sent in investigators to film him taking part in a Big Band and Rock and Roll dance competition named Kats Korner in Manchester.
They secretly taped Read as he executed a string of energetic jive moves with a glamorous dance partner including the Jitterbug, the Charleston and the Lindy Hop - whilst dressed flamboyantly in 1940s style Trilby hat, spatz shoes bow tie and zoot suit.
Onlookers cheered and clapped and a panel of judges gave glowing reviews to Read and his partner as they completed a high kicking and twisting five minute dance routine before taking a bow - unaware his secret scrounging was being exposed.
Read, of Northwold Drive, Blackley, Manchester, was warned he may be jiving his way to jail after he pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change of circumstances, receiving an overpayment of £19,915.90.
Manchester Crown Court heard Read who claimed to be ''an authority on all things swing'' had begun claimed benefits in 1995 stating he suffered from arthritis and depression.
But he was investigated over an alleged £30,000 overpayment after the DWP were informed of his new hobby.
At an earlier hearing Manchester magistrates heard that "for period of three years and six months Read failed to declare that his capabilities had improved.
He claimed disability living allowance with higher rate mobility and a higher rate care component since 1995 and claimed on the basis that he was ''virtually unable to walk and frequently needed help day and night.''
But DWP investigators got a tip off Read's condition was not as it was on
the claims form nd carried out surveillance between March and June 2008.
Investigatos said he was seen walking unaided and taking part in dance competition and
exhibitions with the dance school he attended in Manchester.
When he was interviewed under caution in January last year, Read insisted there had been an improvement in his condition since having a replacement hip operation.
He stated that he was unaware that he needed to tell the department even though he
was sent annual letters reminding him of changes that needed to report."
The Department for Work and Pensions said that Read has begun to pay back the money, repaying £2158.14 to date.
Sentencing was adjourned until 4th August but Judge Robert Atherton warned him to cooperate with probation officers in compilign reports on his background.
After the case a friend of Read said: ''He genuinely believed he had not done anything wrong but it was clear he was caught hook line and sinker.
''Those forms said he needed a wheelchair but he was dancing like Fred Astaire. We bet the DWP inspectors couldn't beleive it when they saw him in action.
''Terry is obviously fast on his feet but was not fleet footed enough to dodge out of being caught.''
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Lil bro caught dancingby whitetee64117,193 views
Tax doggers? Hmm.
elliotfullwood 4 months ago
There right when they say benefits scroungers who do these jobs in a hidden manner but what about the tax doggers,and the mps not just labour who seem to get away with it,or as one tory said it once,any having a go at us it would be a bad career move by them,if that is the case,then all i can say is the soft target,dosent make it right or put another way it is easy to bully,but that dosent make you good,iwould say it makes you evil,i will listen when you get at the tax doggers best of luck
inzen1909 1 year ago