Ryan Scott, 39, took £7,626 from taxpayers.

10:12, Mon, Aug 3, 2026 Updated: 10:15, Mon, Aug 3, 2026

Ryan Scott pictured outside court

Ryan Scott, 39, from Torquay, Devon, claimed disability benefits but was working as a plasterer (Image: SWNS)

A benefit cheat who claimed he was "too weak" to lift a phone was caught running a 10k and climbing scaffolding. Ryan Scott, 39, from Torquay, Devon, was claiming disability benefits after telling the authorities a workplace accident left him so immobile he couldn't lift a pan or walk more than 20 metres.

An anonymous tip-off led investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to uncover photos of him completing a 10k race and bank records showing he had returned to paid work as a plasterer. Surveillance officers filmed Scott climbing ladders, carrying heavy equipment and plastering walls with apparent ease.

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Scott told Exeter Magistrates Court: "I did not think at the time what I was doing. I was not in a good place. It was unintentional and I would like to apologise for that."

Magistrates heard he claimed Personal Independence Payment (PIP) he was not entitled to. He was sentenced at the same court on Thursday (July 30) to a community order and fine.

He was charged after failing to tell the DWP his condition had improved to such an extent he was able to complete an endurance running race.

Authorities carried out the surveillance operation after the race, filming Scott working as a plasterer on a building site.

Exeter Magistrates' Court heard he had initially been claiming legitimate benefits, but his health and mobility had improved around May 2023.

He then paid an entry fee to take part in a 10k race on June 22, 2023, that he completed a month later.

Scott pictured at work on the roof of a house

Scott claimed Personal Independence Payment when he shouldn't have (Image: SWNS)

Surveillance was carried out over several days in March 2024 and he was recorded carrying out activities that "contradicted his claim", magistrates heard.

The defendant failed to notify authorities of the change in circumstances and continued to be paid his benefits as an automatic transfer to his Monza account, the court heard.

After investigation, his claim was re-calculated and it was deemed he was not entitled to the benefit from May 31, 2023, until April 7, 2024, generating an overpayment of £7,625.68.

Fraud investigators said Scott told them he had felt well enough to consider a 10k over improving in the gym, but said it had "not been done with ease".

He told them: "It took a long time for me to do and I was in bed for two weeks afterwards."

Scott was approved for his initial claim after reporting difficulty preparing food, lifting pans from the oven, opening twist top lids and said it was painful to sit upright.

He said he was "too weak" to lift a phone, had difficulty being outside for more than a few minutes and claimed he was unable to walk more than 20m without an aid.

Addressing the court, Scott told magistrates: "I would like to apologise for any trouble I have caused to anyone. At the time I was taking a lot of medication. I slipped into deep depression.

"I was going back to work but was not completely able to do it. I was getting picked up by a friend and taken in. It was more to try and pull me out of a deep hole."

Magistrates said there was "no reason" to believe his claim was false from the outset and said he had no relevant previous convictions.

He was sentenced to a 15 day community order and to pay a fine, costs and victim surcharge totalling £360. The court heard he had already started repaying the money to the DWP.

After sentencing, a DWP spokesperson said: "Benefit fraud is not a victimless crime – it steals money from the people who need it most.

"Whatever your reasons for cheating the system, know that our investigators are wise to every trick in the book and we will find you. So, if you know someone is playing the system, turn them in."