Referee claimed £9,000 for disabilities

Mar 18 2008 Western Mail

A MAN who claimed he suffered such chronic back pain he needed crutches to walk admitted yesterday refereeing weekend soccer matches.

Christopher Stockwell, 52, of Carway, Kidwelly, illegally claimed £9,034 in incapacity benefits and living allowances between June 2005 and June 2007. Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday that Stockwell received the highest level of mobility disability allowance because his condition was so severe.

Stockwell claimed benefits after a fall at work in which he seriously injured his back. He admitted yesterday failing to notify the authorities that his condition had improved to the point where he could referee football matches.

Sharon Knox, prosecuting for the Work and Pensions Department, said, “In order to claim that level he had to be assessed as virtually unable to walk. In particular, in his claim he said he used crutches, a walking stick and a wheelchair to help him get around.” He also successfully applied for the medium rate care allowance, claiming he needed “continual supervision throughout the day”.

Officers from the Work and Pensions Department attended a football match at which Stockwell was the referee in April 2007, following a tip-off. He was filmed taking an active role in the match as referee and was later confronted with the video evidence.

Later, when interviewed, he would neither acknowledge nor deny that the images were of him. Since his admission of guilt he had started repaying £11.50 every fortnight and had repaid £126.50.

Steve Donoghue, defending, said Stockwell had fallen 40ft from a bank while at work and had injured “several vertebrae in his back”.

“He was severely injured and was virtually housebound for several years,” he said. Stockwell grew depressed by his inability to get around. He discovered strong painkillers helped him move more.

Stockwell’s GP had also advised him to take regular exercise to help improve his depression.

“It is not a situation that he told the department on the Monday that he was severely crippled and he was refereeing the next day,” Mr Donoghue said. “We have here a situation where he gradually improved over two years. When his condition was due to be reviewed in May 2007 his improved position would have been clear to all.”

The case was adjourned until April 7 for pre-sentence reports. Stockwell was released on bail.