A man who said he could not walk without a walking stick caught jogging on a race track

A benefits cheat who claimed he was so weak he needed a walking stick to get around was caught working as a marshal at a race track.

 

Anthony Carter claimed nearly £26,000 in disability allowance while working as a volunteer at the racing circuit in Derbyshire.

 

But investigators were tipped off about the 60-year-old's secret pastime and caught him jogging on the track to pick up debris from a crash.

 

 

Anthony Carter, caught on camera jogging while claiming benefit as a disabled person who needed a stick to walk around

 

Carter, from Wolverhampton, West Mids, was also seen waving a large warning flag at several race meetings.

 

He initially made a legitimate claim for disability living allowance payments after suffering from arthritis and hip problems.

 

But Wolverhampton Crown Court heard he carried on collecting the cash for seven years after undergoing a successful hip operation.

 

He was seen dressed in bright orange overalls jogging alongside the track as go-karts sped past nearby.  Carter was also seen standing in a cage waving a giant yellow flag.

 

He pleaded guilty to dishonestly claiming £25,925 in benefits and was told to repay the cash in full and handed a 20-week suspended jail sentence.

 

Judge Peter Barrie said he accepted the claim had started legitimately, but told him: "You had a hip replacement operation and got much better.

 

"You were able to be active working as a volunteer race marshal and clearly at that point not entitled to receive these benefits."

 

Samantha Powis, defending, said Carter had been a hardworking man who initially made a genuine disability claim.

 

She added: "He's unlikely to ever trouble the courts again. He's very concerned. He's very frightened."