A TEIGNMOUTH benefit fiddler who claimed to be too injured to boil a kettle was caught climbing ladders and carrying a washing machine down steps by a surveillance operation.

David England claimed almost £40,000 in benefits over seven years before the Department of Work and Pensions became suspicious and filmed him secretly at the care home where he worked as a handyman.

He was seen carrying and climbing ladders, working on a roof, leaning over, throwing items and driving a vehicle, Exeter Crown Court was told.

England had signed forms just months earlier in which he claimed to have injuries to his knee and spine from a fall from a roof in 2011, rheumatoid arthritis, torn biceps and a rotator cuff shoulder injury.

His claim was approved by a panel after he said he was unable to make himself hot drinks because he was worried about spilling boiling water on himself.

England, aged 60, of Frobisher Close, Teignmouth, admitted two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstance and one of dishonestly making a false claim.

He was jailed for 30 weeks, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid community work and 20 days of rehabilitation activities by Judge Anna Richardson.

She told him: ‘The surveillance showed you were far more physically able than you had declared and you were able to work on ladders and carry a washing machine downstairs alone, which is challenging for anyone.

‘This case is aggravated because your claim for Personal Independence Payment was fraudulent from the outset.’

Mr Thomas Faulkner, prosecuting, said England suffered a genuine injury at work and made his first claim for disability living allowance in January 2012.

He went on to claim a total of £39,398.98 in DLA, Personal Independence Payments and Employment Support Allowance.

He made a fresh claim when PIP replaced DLA in 2018 in which he overstated his disability and added arthritis, arm and shoulder problems to the spinal and knee injuries.

He claimed he struggled with all forms of mobility and was unable to make himself a hot drink.

An inquiry showed England had been employed at the Briarcroft care home in Teignmouth since April 2015 and had done jobs there since 2013.

Miss Tracey Baker, defending, asked the judge to follow the advice of a probation report which said that England needed the money to look after his mother, who was in poor health, needed residential treatment from time to time, and passed away last December.

Miss Baker said England is now helping to care for his housebound wife, who he has been married to for 53 years. She said he had suffered a genuine injury and still experiences some pain from it.

He is repaying £135 a week which is being taken directly from benefits.