A woman who banked £28,000 in disability benefits was caught walking unaided by investigators and ended up ashamed and in court. Mum Cheryl Topham, 54, had initially legitimately been claiming Disability Living Allowance because health issues affecting her ability to look after herself and to walk.
In 2015, she also received Employment Support Allowance legitimately, Manchester Evening News reports. But in 2017 she underwent a successful knee replacement operation but didn't notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
She continued receiving payments into her bank account and was overpaid £28,263.70. A tip-off then led to surveillance and this revealed her walking unaided, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
