Dwp pip mum told to repay £20k after facebook pictures caught her out

SARA MORRIS, 50, LIED ABOUT THE SEVERITY OF HER MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS 09:14, 01 Jun 2025Updated 09:15, 01 Jun 2025 A mum who claimed more than £20,000 in disability benefits while running 10k

races has been told to pay back her ill-gotten gains. Fraudster Sara Morris duped the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) into thinking she was so unwell she struggled to leave the house

or look after herself. The 50-year-old lied about the severity of her multiple sclerosis, claiming she could not stand at the cooker and found it difficult to get out of the bath unaided.

Morris also claimed she was so anxious when she left the house that even a trip to the pharmacy to collect her medication left her in tears. But the mum-of-three competed in a string of

running events - and was even pictured taking part. READ MORE: POLICE ISSUE MAJOR UPDATE AFTER 'SEVERAL PEDESTRIANS STRUCK' IN MIDLANDS CAR RAMMING Article continues below Morris

was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005. In 2020, she exaggerated the extent of her condition and claimed Personal Independence Payment (PIP). But she failed to tell the DWP that she

was a member of the Stone Master Marathoners and regularly ran 5km and 10km races. She was finally caught out by her own Facebook posts of her competing in running events, StokeonTrentLive

reports. Morris, of Walton Way, Stone, was overpaid £20,528.83 between October 20, 2020 and April 25, 2023. She admitted dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefit and was

jailed for eight months in July 2024. During a recent proceeds of crime hearing, Judge Graeme Smith was told Morris benefited from her criminality to the tune of £22,386.02 and the available

amount was £60,000. He ordered Morris to repay £22,386.02 within 28 days or serve nine months in prison in default. The court heard how investigators carried out surveillance on Morris from

February 5 to February 20, 2023. Prosecutor Regan Walters said: "On February 5 she took part in a five-mile race and was seen running without assistance and showed no signs of balance

problems. "On February 11 she was seen running with the Stone Master Marathoners and showed no signs of discomfort." Morris competed in 73 races between May 2019 and December 2022.

During an interview in May 2023, Morris said her MS had worsened and she was suffering from fatigue. But she confirmed she had been a member of Stone Master Marathoners running club prior

to making her claim and filled in her PIP form on her worst day. Paul Cliff, defending, said the 'severity' of her condition's 'impact ebbs and flows to a degree'.

He said: "But it is accepted by her that the application did not give the full picture. "It crossed over into the realms of dishonesty." The court heard how Morris's

marriage broke down in the spring of 2020. She did not enjoy a lavish lifestyle as a result of her fraudulent claim, Mr Cliff said. He added: "She lost her home because of financial

problems and was struggling to keep her head above water financially. "The application did not give the full picture. "She did say running was one of the ways she tried to manage

her multiple sclerosis. "She has found it difficult to come to terms with her dishonesty." Morris must also pay a £187 surcharge. At an earlier hearing, the court was told that

Morris would not have been awarded PIP had she been honest about her condition. Mr Walters said: "The benefit was paid on the basis she would notify the DWP of any changes which

affected the amount of benefits." He added: "The DWP obtained photographs of the defendant and some Facebook posts taken by Morris herself. "She had been taking part in

marathons, races and orienteering. "The first photo was taken a month after she signed her initial claim form. "The defendant can be seen to have been taking part in a competitive

run two days prior to making that initial claim. "At no point was information received from the defendant reporting any improvement in her condition during her claim for PIP. "The

defendant reported receiving assistance in almost every aspect of her life. "On some days her stress and anxiety led to her being housebound. Article continues below "She added she

used a walking stick when she felt tired and unsteady. "The defendant exaggerated her issues throughout the claim process." _Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by

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