A bodybuilder who claimed a surgeon’s mistake left him unable to lift more than an empty kettle was caught out after Facebook posts showed him playing rugby and bench-pressing weights.

Sean Murphy, 38, sued Wye Valley NHS Trust, claiming an operation on his bicep after a rugby injury left him so disabled he could not play the game he loves, work or even dress himself.

However Mr Murphy’s claim unravelled after the NHS was tipped off that he was lying, resulting in the discovery of photos and videos showing him back on the pitch and lifting weights in the gym.

He had claimed he could lift nothing heavier than an empty kettle, but a video posted online showed him grunting while lifting a three-stone kettlebell.

His £580,000 damages claim was dropped last year and Mr Murphy was left facing a huge court bill – and now a potential prison sentence after a judge granted permission for contempt of court proceedings.