A 67 year old man from Thrupp near Stroud was paid benefits of nearly £60,000 after claiming he could hardly walk, despite evidence showing him jogging, astride a motorbike and standing on a roof.

Pritchard, of Dalloway Estate, Thrupp, nr Stroud, had claimed Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments by stating he was ‘virtually unable to walk,’ said prosecutor Alun Williams.

But secret photographs of Anthony Pritchard taken in February last year revealed him jogging up a hill, painting while standing on a rooftop - and sitting astride a Harley Davidson motorbike, Gloucester crown court heard.

Pritchard admitted four offences of benefit fraud over a course of 11 years, between August 2006 and April 2017.

He had received £59,211.25 more than he was entitled to, Mr Williams told Judge Michael Cullum.

The prosecutor said two of Pritchard’s offences related to him failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions that he was receiving rental income from his property. He also received income support and pension credit without revealing that income.

But the ‘particularly serious’ offences he committed related to him failing to notify the DWP that his ‘capabilities had improved and his care needs reduced’, Mr Williams said.

Covert surveillance between February 16 and last year show Pritchard ‘jogging’ to his car up and down a slope of 80 metres, ‘unaided, without pain or imbalance’.

Other episodes showed the man walking unaided, with no assistance and those investigations led the department to request a police search warrant of his address.

The barrister said: “There was photographic evidence of a very full lifestyle. Capabilities far greater than he declared.”

He referred to photos of a ‘new motorhome’ with bikes mounted on a rear rack, sightseeing trips to the Olympic games in 2012, and of Pritchard on the roof of his extension project getting involved in the painting.

Investigators revealed that Pritchard became the registered keeper of a Harley Davidson in 2012, and through MOT checks established it had covered 4,000 between that year and 2017.

“There were also five insurance policies recorded on that motorcycle,” Mr Williams said. “That is at odds with what he claimed of his abilities.”

Mr Williams turned to the fourth count on the indictment relating to PIP, and said: “He phoned the department of work and pensions in December 2016.

“He verbally answered questions and completed a form subsequently. He said he needed help preparing food, washing bathing, dressing and had other incapacities”

Those present in court heard that in interview following his arrest Pritchard maintained his stance, until confronted with evidence.

Sarah Jenkins, representing Pritchard said: “He has suffered from a number of different health complaints.”

“There were periods of time when it seemed to be worse and periods when better,” the lawyer said. “If there was a day when he felt well in the morning he would try and do jobs around the house.

“When it happened it would only be for a short period of time,” she said. “If he pushed past that, his condition would feel much worse.

“If he was having a good day, anxiety under control, feeling well, he would take advantage of that.

“Since the investigation begun, there has been a continuing decline in is health,” the lawyer said.

Mrs Jenkins said that as a result of the proceeds of crime procedures, his assets would be liquidised and he faced losing his home.

“He is going to be punished for these offences. The DWP are going to recover that money from him.

Imposing a suspended jail term, Judge Cullum said: “Your disability was very significantly different from what you were portraying. That is the seriousness of this case.

“You were simply not being honest with the authorities, exaggerating and to be honest and lying.”

The judge told Pritchard by doing this he was doing ‘a huge number of people a disservice'.

“You take money out of the pot for those that are properly deserving,” the judge said.

“It is to be hoped that every penny will be retrieved from you.”

The judge imposed a nine month jail term suspended for twelve months and fixed a proceeds of crime hearing for March next year.