A ROSYTH benefits cheat who claimed that she was severely disabled was caught after she was spotted walking her dogs regularly over “significant” distances at a “brisk pace”.

Myra Wells, 66, was said to have a “large number of health problems”, including suffering from arthritis and memory impairment.

Wells, of 68 Syme Place, also suffered from bacterial meningitis which had caused brain damage and had forced her to give up her job.

She was receiving disability living allowance but was investigated following an anonymous tip-off to the Department of Work and Pensions that she was “walking her dogs three miles every day”.

At Dunfermline Sheriff Court last Wednesday, fiscal depute Louise Graham told the court: “Investigations revealed that the accused left the house at 9am every day.

“Surveillance showed her walking the dogs on July 1, 6 and 7.

“She was recorded on camcorder. She was alone and walked at a brisk pace.

“It was decided that she was not entitled to the benefits she was receiving.”
Wells admitted that between February 13 and September 15 last year, at her address, she knowingly failed to give prompt notification to the DWP of a change of circumstances which she knew affected her entitlement to disability living allowance, in that she was no longer disabled as declared, and obtained £3,707.90 to which she was not entitled.

Solicitor Jonathan Matheson-Dear said Wells was a first offender and lived with her son who was her carer.

He said Wells’ memory impairment might have caused her to overlook notifying the DWP.

The solicitor explained: “Between February and September, she was not so significantly impaired that she could not walk her dogs.

“She had had a knee replacement in February and was encouraged as part of her physiotherapy to remain active.

“She continued to go out as much as she could to flex her muscles.”
However, he acknowledged: “I reviewed the CCTV and although it was not three miles, it was significant, and she should have disclosed it.”

He said Wells was “very distressed” and “her health has since deteriorated”, adding: “Last autumn, she had a number of falls due to dizziness and her health has relapsed to what it was before her operation.

“She receives a number of pensions but after her outlays are deducted, she has £50-60 every month, which the DWP would welcome, but it would take a very long time to settle the amount.

“She is viewed as low-risk of reoffending and is extremely vulnerable.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry deferred sentence until November 23 for Wells to be of good behaviour and to monitor repayments.