Gary Wilson claimed he needed crutches to get about but was caught tearing around the pitch for Steelman's Lounge FC in Wolverhampton
A BENEFITS cheat who claimed he could barely walk was filmed sprinting through a game of Sunday league football for his local team.
Gary Wilson, 30, was caught by hidden cameras as he raced around the pitch wearing a number 9 shirt for Steelman's Lounge FC in Division 6 of the Wolverhampton & District Sunday Football League.
Footage filmed in February last year showed him displaying bursts of pace as he dribbled, slide tackled and shot at goal while raking in Disability Living Allowance.
He told the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) he had severe mobility restrictions as well as care requirements due to crippling arthritis in his hip and spine.
Wilson claimed it took him around five minutes to walk 200 yards and that he also needed crutches to get about.
But while claiming state benefits, he banged in 26 goals in 16 games during the 2014/15 season
He was found to have fraudulently claimed £14,000 in taxpayers' money over a four-year period.
Magistrates heard he failed to admit that his condition had improved between November 2012 and May last year.
Wilson, of Wolverhampton, admitted to two charges of failure to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of a change in circumstance affecting social security benefit.
The defendant, wearing a blue tracksuit, trembled in the dock at Walsall Magistrates Court on Thursday as sentencing was adjourned due to his ill health.
The matter will now be heard on November 15 at the same court after he was granted unconditional bail.
Adjourning the case, District Judge David Webster told Wilson: "Mr Wilson, it is apparent to anyone who can see you that you are not looking well and I do not want to add to that by having you sit here while sentencing takes place.
"This will happen on November 15 in the afternoon. I grant you bail to appear before this court on this day at 1.30pm.
"If you fail to turn up on November 15, that's a separate offence which could result in your imprisonment."
JPs heard how Wilson had also failed to notify the DWP that he had been in paid employment between January 2, 2013 and February 22, 2013.
He did not comment as he left court.
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