Golf Update: Tax payers in revolt, Valerie Lewis convicted of fraud
Valerie Lewis has been recently convicted as a benefit cheat after being bunkered by the investigators and pocketing nearly £ 40,000 through fraud.
The convicted has been using the disability clause where her inability to walk and bend was used as a reason for the benefit. However, the tables turned after Lewis was caught playing an astonishing 4 rounds of golf, nearly every week.
During her benefit period, the 55-year-old has Ben serving as a lady captain at the golf club for a cost of £ 600 annually and has been regularly playing with other members as well.
According to the officials, Lewis had claimed that she had been a "virtual prisoner in her own home" and was unable to walk even 50 yards by herself. The mother of two had asserted that it was impossible for her to walk outdoors as she needed support
from another person and said that she needed help getting out of bed and bathing, thus claiming the benefit.
However, the female golfer was exposed as a fraud when she was seen at the Sutton Hall Golf Club near Runcorn, Cheshire playing in a competition. The 55-year-old was filmed on the sly after a tip-off to the investigators and was caught playing at a 6,618
yard GC. Lewis was also seen loading the golf buggy from her car.
Next day, the female golfer was also seen enjoying a nice little horse ride.
Lewis on the other hand pleads her inability to inform the DWP of the changed circumstances. Nonetheless, she has been charged with an imprisonment time of 24 weeks. Along with that, a suspension of 2 years and 200 hours of unpaid work at the Warrington
Crown Court has been included in her punishment.
According to Stephen Clark, the incident has been a cause of disgrace for Lewis. The Judge told the convicted that her actions have infuriated those who pay their taxes and proper complaints.
“People will say, 'What a hypocrite'” said Judge Clark.
Reports stated that Lewis had been paying the money back but unfortunately, her husband faced three heart strokes. Along with that, it also came into notice that her eldest daughter was suffering from serious illness.
“’Lewis had been given the money to fight an osteopath but she was using the money to improve her living conditions” said the counsel.
“It’s ironic that during all this you achieved the status of Lady Captain at the Sutton Golf Club” said the Judge.
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