A SUPERMARKET employee who fraudulently obtained more than £28,000 in disability benefits was exposed when secret video footage revealed the real state of her mobility.
Joanne Norris had earlier been granted the highest level of Personal Independence Payment following a back injury that restricted her to walking no more than 20 metres.
However, even though her health had greatly improved, she continued to renew her claim and received payments she was no longer eligible for over a two-year period.
The 55-year-old’s dishonesty came to light after the Department for Work and Pensions received information about the suspected fraud and obtained undercover recordings showing her performing “a number of tasks” she had stated she could not manage.
Norris appeared before Folkestone magistrates in October and pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting her entitlement to benefits.
When she appeared at the same court for sentencing on December 17, magistrates were informed she had improperly received £28,365.81 in PIP from May 1, 2022, to May 30, 2024.
The court heard that Norris, of Dyke Road, Folkestone, originally applied for PIP in 2016 after a back injury but was initially turned down.
She successfully appealed the decision and was awarded the enhanced rate of the benefit.
She renewed the claim in 2018 and once again received enhanced daily living and mobility payments.
Julie Farbrace, prosecuting, said: “She told the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) that she was not able to walk more than 20 metres.
“She then renewed [the claim again] in 2022 and said nothing had changed.”
However, the court was told the DWP received a tip-off that Norris’ condition had improved.
Ms Farbrace added: “Video footage was captured of her carrying out a number of tasks.”
Further details on the nature of the tasks were not revealed in court.
The prosecutor noted that Norris had no previous convictions and was repaying the money at £60 a month – a rate that would see the debt cleared in 39 years.
She added that because the repayment plan was being followed, she was not seeking compensation.
Nigel Riley, defending, said his client had previously been of good character and that her original claim had been legitimate.
He said: “She understands it’s a serious offence, and for a period of time, the original claim was legitimate.
“Her mobility problems started when she popped some discs; she’s had five or six operations and she had sciatica and depression.”
The court heard that following additional treatment, including acupuncture, Norris’ mobility had improved.
Mr Riley added: “She accepts she should have told the DWP and she should have told them as she would not have been entitled to PIP if she had.
“There was some fluctuation, but the acupuncture made her a lot more mobile.
“There have been no further offences and she is paying [the DWP back] at £60 a month.
“If you factor in her previous good character and her early guilty plea, I would suggest this warrants a community order.”
Magistrates rejected that submission and imposed a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
The chairman of the bench told Norris she had committed a “serious offence”, adding: “This is taxpayers’ money – it’s not a victimless crime.”
Norris, who is married and works 16 hours a week at Sainsbury’s, was also ordered to carry out unpaid work and to pay a £154 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.
A DWP spokesperson said it could not reveal what tasks Norris has been filmed carrying out.
