Gold Wing-owning couple caught out while claiming £50,000 in disability benefits
A MOTORCYCLING couple who claimed £50,000 in disability benefits have appeared in court following an investigation by fraud officers.
Kevin Crawford, 56, and his wife Elizabeth, 59, clocked up thousands of miles a year on their heavyweight Honda motorcycle, despite claiming substantial disability benefits; Mr Crawford said he was capable of nothing more than a short walk, while his wife stated she was incapable of dressing herself or going to the lavatory unaided due to severe rheumatoid arthritis.
The couple were exposed after benefit fraud investigators followed the pair around the country while they toured on their Honda Gold Wing motorcycle. Mr Crawford, of Childwall, Liverpool, was also filmed performing manual work for his double glazing business.
At Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Bryn Holloway sentenced Crawford to 18 months in prison for falsely claiming £36,000 in benefits. His wife was given a six-month sentence suspended for two years.
Judge Holloway said: "There are many, many people in this country who are entitled to and make claims who struggle very hard to make ends meet. The two of you ought to be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves that you cheated the system. The message has to go out that those who do that have to go to custody."
