Mother, 49, who said her MS was so severe she couldn't stand at the cooker or get out of the bath in order to claim £20,000 in benefits is jailed after she was spotted running marathons

A mother who said her Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was so severe that she couldn't stand at the cooker so she could claim £20,000 in benefits has been jailed after being spotted running marathons.

Sara Morris exaggerated her symptoms to secure the Personal Independence Payments, despite being an active member of the Stone Master Marathoners and regularly ran 5km and 10km races.

The 49-year-old, from Stone, Staffordshire, was first diagnosed with the condition in 2005.

However, in 2020, she falsely claimed that her condition severely affected her daily life, stating she lacked balance, could not stand at the cooker, and struggled to get out of the bath unaided.

She also claimed extreme anxiety when leaving the house, to the point that even a trip to the pharmacy left her in tears.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Morris received £2,292.63 monthly in PIP.

From October 2020 to April 2023, she was overpaid £20,528.83.

Prosecutor Regan Walters said that Morris had not disclosed her active participation in running events to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which would have affected her eligibility for PIP.

Walters stated: 'The benefit was paid on the basis she would notify the DWP of any changes which affected the amount of benefits.

'The defendant signed and dated the PIP claim form on November 20, 2020 and signed the declaration.

'On January 21, 2021 she had a face-to-face consultation. The payment was calculated and authorised from that stage.'

DWP investigators discovered Morris's involvement in competitive running through photographs and Facebook posts.

Walters said, 'If the defendant had disclosed the information, the PIP would not have been awarded. There was an overpayment of £20,528.83.'

Morris competed in 73 races between May 2019 and December 2022, including a five-mile race on February 5, 2023, where she was observed running without assistance.

She was seen again on February 11, running with the Stone Master Marathoners, showing no signs of discomfort.

During her interview on May 11, 2023, Morris claimed her MS had worsened and she was suffering from fatigue, but admitted to being a member of the running club before making her PIP claim.

She confessed to filling out her PIP form based on her worst days.

Morris pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefit.

Her defense, led by Paul Cliff, argued that Morris's MS symptoms varied in severity and that she did not lead a lavish lifestyle from the fraudulent claims.

Morris's financial struggles, including losing her home, were cited as contributing factors to her fraudulent claim.

Recorder Robert Smith condemned Morris's actions, stating, 'You told lies about the severity of your condition. You set out to defraud the taxpayer of significant sums of money and your lies meant you were awarded the enhanced rate.

'You were awarded the rate for somebody who cannot walk for one single metre. It is awarded to people who are wheelchair bound or have no legs at all.

'You were regularly running and competing in organised running events. 'This was a planned, professional and deliberate fraud. You lied through your teeth and severely exaggerated your condition to receive payment.'

A proceeds of crime hearing is scheduled for November 25.