‘Manipulative’ benefits fraudster, 51, claimed up to £500k by pretending to be quadriplegic

A man has pleaded guilty to claiming hundreds of thousands of pounds in benefits by pretending to be quadriplegic.

Brian Matthews, 51, told officials that he had no use of his arms and legs to claim £250,000 in free handouts.

But with the further charges left on file the total cost of the scam is around £500,000, a court heard.

Matthews conned the authorities over a 15 year period into believing he had lost all feeling in all four limbs.

But he was spotted walking and even pushing his wheelchair-bound wife around town, a court heard.

Matthews fooled medical professionals with fake symptoms and was able to convinced doctors to give him medical documents without examinations.

He was so convincing that judgements about his health were made by doctors on trust, Truro Crown Court heard.

Matthews pleaded guilty to offences worth £245,000 but the total cost to the public purse was said to be more than £500,000.

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He admitted six counts of making a false representation and two counts of fraud by false representation over a 15 year period starting in 2001.

Several charges relating to the remaining funds were denied by Matthews and were left on file by the prosecution.

He arrived in court in a mobility scooter and with two crutches and sentencing was adjourned so a medical report could be drawn up by a neurologist to accurately assess the extent of his illness.

Judge Robert Linford warned Matthews that it was highly likely he would be facing a lengthy jail sentence.

Jo Martin, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Mr Matthews is, from the Crown’s position, incredibly manipulative.”

Defending Matthews, Jim Tilbury said: “Mr Matthews accepts that he is not quadriplegic.

“He presently understands it that he is unable to stand without aids, he accepts that hasn’t always been the case.”

Speaking after the hearing, Dave Morris of the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “It is a good result. Benefit relief should go to those people that need them.

Sentencing was adjourned and Matthews was released on bail until Friday April 13.