‘Dishonest’ benefits claimant who said he struggled to walk took ‘physically strenuous’ Morrisons job

A benefits claimant who pocketed thousands due to his “immobility” was working a “physically strenuous” job at Morrisons, a court has been told.

Christopher Marchant was receiving personal independence payment due to his immobility and expressed his regret about failing to inform the Department for Work & Pensions about a change of circumstances.

Marchant pocketed more than £7,700 in benefits between September 2020 and January 2023 after he “dishonestly” failed to notify the department his “capabilities had improved”.

He originally claimed for PIP after saying he had throat cancer, high blood pressure and mobility issues.

Marchant, from Kendal’s Rydal Road, claimed walking led to pain and even fatigue.

South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court was told that the DWP obtained evidence Marchant was no longer incapacitated.

It was instead revealed he was working as a customer assistant and a relief home delivery driver for Morrisons in Kendal.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre said the UK’s fourth-biggest supermarket chain confirmed the role was physically strenuous.

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Explaining why he took on the job, Marchant said: “I had to do something, it was doing my head in.”

Marchant, who represented himself in court, said he was still in pain but taking painkillers allowed him to be more active.

He added: “I have done wrong. It’s easy to say after the fact but I really regret it.

“I apologise for not speaking up sooner. I really do regret it.”

Marchant was sentenced to a curfew which will keep him at home between 2pm and 2am for the next eight weeks.

The Kendal case comes just months after the DWP announced further crackdowns on benefit cheats.

The changes were expected to save the taxpayer £9billion by 2027/28.

Speaking to GB News ahead of the 2024 General Election, Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared to suggest Labour was keen to push ahead with measures to clamp down on fraud.

She said: “It is important that we crack down on fraud, avoidance, evasion, wherever it exists.

“I think it’s really important that we root out wherever it exists – whether that is in the benefits system – because I want money to go to people that really need it.”