A WOMAN who secretly worked as a cleaner while cheating more than £30,000 in benefit because “she was virtually unable to walk” could face a jail sentence on Friday.
Christine Whittle Morley, 47, from Cleveland Street, Peasley Cross faces sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court for benefit fraud that spanned more than six years.
Investigators recorded surveillance footage of her working in a St Helens shopping centre as part of their probe.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions, she had claimed disability support after declaring she was in severe pain and it took her between 15 and 30 minutes to walk 14 metres. Whittle Morley also claimed to need round-the-clock personal care and that she used a walking aid at all times.
But evidence uncovered by the DWP found that while claiming benefit she worked as a cleaner and cleaning team leader, covering more than 40 sites across the North West.
Whittle Morley pleaded guilty to benefit fraud in November and will be sentenced today (Friday).
She has been warned by a judge that all sentencing options are open.
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