A former Department for Work and Pensions employee who handled disability benefit decisions defrauded the system of £19,000 whilst falsely claiming severe mobility problems that required daily assistance.

Clifford Redman worked as a decision maker for Personal Independence Payments (Pip) at the DWP when he submitted claims about serious health conditions affecting his ability to walk, wash, dress and cook independently.

The 57-year-old's fraud began in March 2020 when his health conditions improved but he deliberately withheld this information from his employer.

His role gave him extensive understanding of the benefits system, which prosecutors said he exploited for personal gain over a three-year period.

Undercover surveillance conducted over 17 days in August 2022 captured Redman engaging in activities that contradicted his disability claims.

Investigators filmed him attending the gym regularly, with records showing 22 visits during two separate periods in 2020.

He was observed completing walks of up to three miles, carrying his dog, and spending over an hour walking without apparent difficulty or pain.

Surveillance footage also showed him removing furniture from a vehicle boot and navigating inclines without assistance.

Mr Redman worked for the Department for Work & Pensions

Social media evidence revealed him strolling barefoot on beach sand and bending down to replace footwear and a leg support without struggle.

Despite wearing a knee brace, he never used walking aids or handrails during the covert monitoring period.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Redman initially submitted a legitimate Pip application in July 2017, which was increased to a higher rate in 2019 after he challenged the original award.

He reported multiple medical conditions including spinal arthritis, left foot paralysis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, knee arthritis, and mental health difficulties affecting his social interactions and confidence.

Mr Redman appeared at Newcastle Crown Court

Prosecutor Graham O'Sullivan told the court: "As such he had a highly developed knowledge of the system of claiming and entitlement to Pip."

The prosecution established that Redman's claims became fraudulent from March 2020 when his health improved significantly.

When presented with surveillance evidence, Redman claimed he experienced "bad days and good days" and attributed his improved mobility to gym exercise.

Redman admitted to dishonestly failing to declare changes in his circumstances between March 2020 and February 2023 at his court appearance.

Recorder Caroline Sellars imposed a 12-month community order including rehabilitation and alcohol treatment programmes, noting that alcohol had worsened his mental health difficulties.

She told the court: "This is made more remarkable given you were an employee of the DWP for quite some time.

"As an employee for the DWP, and shockingly given you had the role as a decision maker in Pip payments, you clearly had a high level of knowledge of what was required."

Mr Redman has begun repaying the £19,246 overpayment and committed to settling the remaining balance.

Jamie Adams, defending, said Mr Redman has been under enormous stress with physical and mental health problems.

He added Mr Redman was diagnosed with a serious condition after he pleaded guilty.

A DWP spokesman confirmed that employees found guilty of fraud face disciplinary measures, termination and criminal prosecution.

They told The Express: "We take fraud extremely seriously and when there is evidence of wrongdoing, an employee is subject to disciplinary action and dismissal, and cases are also referred for consideration for criminal prosecution."