A fitness instructor accused of £50,000 benefit fraud after claiming he could barely walk 19ft has won his case despite being filmed playing football.
But investigators discovered he was regularly playing football for Bristol pub team The Lebeq Tavern, and took him to court claiming he overstated his disability on three forms.
Miss Da Costa added: 'He was observed playing football, running, jumping, making sliding tackles and heading the ball.
'He did not present with the medical difficulties he described.'
But defence barrister Tom Wainwright presented evidence from sickle cell doctors suggesting Mr Wilson's condition - which limits the blood's oxygen carrying capabilities - was variable.
His clinical coordinator Dr Mark Critchley said Mr Wilson was telling the truth, and had been admitted to hospital 19 times between 2003 and 2013.
Judge Michael Longman directed the jury to return not guilty verdicts to three charges of dishonest representation for obtaining benefit between June 2003 and March 2011.
Speaking after the two-day trial at Bristol Crown Court, Mr Wilson of St George, Bristol, said: 'I'm just relieved.
'I'm just glad now this is over and I can concentrate on getting my health back. I had no reason to lie.
'I hope the case raises the profile for people with sickle cell.'
No comments:
Post a Comment