A MAN who received disability benefits, claiming he could barely walk, but worked 20 hours a week as a delivery driver, avoided jail yesterday.

Brian Carsley, 55, admitted two counts of failing to notify a change of circumstances, which affected his entitlement to disability living allowance (DSA) and income support between December 17, 2011, and August 7, 2012, totalling £5,448.80, at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court.

Rob Simkins, prosecuting, told the court Carsley, of Gerdd-ir-Mynydd, Crickhowell, started claiming DSA in 2001, telling doctors his arthritis was so bad he could barely walk.

He began claiming income support in 2006. But the Department for Work and Pensions started investigating him after receiving a tip-off that he was working.

Officers captured him on CCTV working as an early-morning delivery driver and a lunchtime sandwich delivery driver and salesman for Crumbs Café in Market Street, Abergavenny.

When arrested and questioned he said he was only earning £20 a week, but his employer confirmed he received £60 a week cash for working 20 hours.

Paul Morris, defending, said Carsley’s original claim was legitimate and said his employment, though unlawful, did not make him lots of money and he was not living an extravagant lifestyle.

District Judge David Parsons said Carsley planned a “sophisticated deceit” which involved misleading medical professionals and the tax man.

He added: “This was a cynical exploitation of the benefits system at a time when many people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. This was a fraud of the tax-payer.”

Carsley was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a 13-week curfew, meaning he has to be at home from 8pm until 6am daily. He was also ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.