Rhona Vessey, 50, claimed she 'could only walk 20 metres without getting out of breath' <\/p>\n
A BENEFITS cheat who swindled more than 6,000 by claiming she could barely walk was caught out after appearing with a marching band. <\/p>\n
Rhona Vessey, 50, said her physical impairments meant she could only walk 20 metres without getting out of breath and could not carry a shopping bag. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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But after receiving a tip-off, investigators carried out undercover surveillance and saw Vessey marching as a drummer with the band on three separate occasions. <\/p>\n
She had fraudulently claimed for6,251.04 in disability benefits between October 3, 2014 and October 26, 2015. <\/p>\n
Vessey, of Little Eaton, Derbys, admitted one count of fraud and was handed a ten-week community order at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court yesterday. <\/p>\n
District Judge Jonathan Taaffe said: This is not a victimless crime because there is no bottomless pit of money that people can fraudulently claim from. <\/p>\n
You claimed benefits you were not entitled to and the reality is that society and the courts take a serious view on crimes like this. <\/p>\n
You made the claim and then participated in marching activities with others. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Prosecutor Lynn Bickley said: We say this was a claim that was dishonest from the outset. <\/p>\n
She made the claim saying she was virtually unable to walk, needed attention to her leg three times during the day and prolonged attention during the night. <\/p>\n
In her claim she said she could only walk between 20 and 50 metres without getting out of breath. <\/p>\n
She said often she could not go outside her front door, or go to shops and supermarkets on her own. <\/p>\n
She said she could often not use shopping bags and felt anxious if people looked at her when she was outside. <\/p>\n
But information was received that she was a member of a marching band and regularly took part in lengthy and complex marching routines. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Miss Bickley said investigators for the Department for Work and Pensions went to investigate Vessey and used secret cameras to catch her playing in the Derby Midshipmen Band. <\/p>\n
She said: The result of the surveillance was that on three occasions she was observed marching in the band with a drum strapped to her shoulder and there were no limitations on her mobility. <\/p>\n
Judge Taaffe ordered that she pay 85 costs, an 85 victim surcharge and handed her a ten-week curfew, confining her to her address between 7pm and 7am each day. <\/p>\n
Peter Jones, defending, said Vessey had lost her husband relatively recently and is currently jointly claiming employment support allowance with her new partner. <\/p>\n
He said: This is a lady that feels great shame that she before the court. <\/p>\n
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk<\/a> or call 0207 782 4368 <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Benefits cheat who swindled more than 6,000 by claiming she ... - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rhona Vessey, 50, claimed she 'could only walk 20 metres without getting out of breath' A BENEFITS cheat who swindled more than 6,000 by claiming she could barely walk was caught out after appearing with a marching band. Rhona Vessey, 50, said her physical impairments meant she could only walk 20 metres without getting out of breath and could not carry a shopping bag. SWNS:South West News Service Facebook But after receiving a tip-off, investigators carried out undercover surveillance and saw Vessey marching as a drummer with the band on three separate occasions Continue reading