£33,500 Leeds benefits fraudster claimed he was too ill to work while working as pub sign erector Leeds Crown Court told

Oliver Gill, 34, fraudulently claimed £33, 500 in benefits over a three-year period after struggling with a gambling addiction, Leeds Crown Court was told.

Howard Shaw, prosecuting, said Gill started claiming employment support allowance legitimately in June 2010 and personal independence payments from April 2015.

In May 2016, Gill started working as a sign erector, which involved driving long distances, using heavy machinery and climbing up and down scaffolding.

In June 2016 he submitted a written personal independence payment review form claiming he had serious mobility problems.

Gill stated he couldn't stand or sit for long periods due to pain and needed help getting in and out of the bath.

He also stated he needed help getting dressed and undressed and sometimes needed crutches to walk.

In July 2017, Gill had a face to face interview with a health professional in connection with his personal independence payments.

In that interview Gill claimed he hadn't worked for years when he had in fact been working for the previous 15 months.

Mr Shaw said Gill told police he took the money because he had a gambling addiction.

Gill, of Clyde Walk, Armley, admitted two charges of fraud.

A probation service spokesman said Gill is a father-of-four who is still working in his job erecting signs.

The court heard Gill has already voluntarily repaid £600 back.

Stephen Welford, mitigating, said: "It was his family support that helped him conquer his gambling addiction.

"It was a great relief to him that his gambling addiction came to a head and he was able to deal with that."

Judge Christopher Batty handed Gill an eight month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and ordered him to do 200 hours of unpaid work.