Thu, 2 Sep 2010

Payroll officer in alleged sick benefits swindle

A council payroll officer who took long-term sick on full pay after claiming he had a back injury is in court facing fraud allegations after he was filmed sprinting on a running track and coaching young athletes while on leave.

Matthew Thomas, who had been a keen and former professional athlete, had previously represented St Lucia in the Commonwealth Games.

During his time off sick, he received £13,892.12 in wages.

But the Inner London Court heard how the Newham council employee was earning extra money working for the Metropolitan Police, in an initiative to coach young runners.

He spent seven months off sick and finally resigned in 2008. Before his resignation, the payroll officer from East Ham claimed he was unable to work after he fell from a ladder and injured his back.

Mr Thomas was subsequently filmed coaching and running at two London athletics tracks and even competing in a race.

The defendant denies one count of fraud by failing to disclose information about the work he did with the Metropolitan
Police and a further 10 counts of fraud by false representation due to the sickness certificates he submitted.

However, during interviews Mr Thomas admitted he had trained and coached while off sick but said he had participated in the
competitions as a way of receiving free physiotherapy.

The case continues.