Mr Universe hopeful who claimed he needed help getting dressed and going to the loo jailed for £46k disability benefits scam
The fraudster posted pics online of his bulging muscles and posing on stage
A MR Universe contestant claimed he needed sticks to walk and swindled £46,261 in benefits.
Malcolm Sherratt, 64, was jailed for a year after his eight-year scam emerged.
Investigators said he took part in competitions while pocketing mobility allowance.
He started claiming three weeks after taking part in Mr Universe 2007.
From 2008 he told the authorities he needed help getting dressed, cooking, eating and going to the loo.
He said his back often gave way and he needed a wheelchair or sticks outdoors.
Yet he posted pics online of his bulging muscles and film showed him posing on stage, Stoke-on-Trent crown court heard.
The DWP obtained evidence of Sherratt attending a gym in Hanley.
Records showed he worked out twice a day and officials filmed him lifting 35kg weights.
Staff at the retirement village where he lived told the DWP they had never seen him using crutches.
Sherratt’s lawyer said he had back condition spondylitis for many years.
Medics told him to use a gym but he “took it too far.”
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