Benefit cheat who claimed she was too ill to leave house caught ziplining in Mexico
A woman who defrauded the welfare system of more than £23,000 by claiming she was too ill to leave her home was caught surfing and ziplining in Mexico.
Catherine Wieland (33), from Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex, reported to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that she was suffering from anxiety so severe that she was confined to her home. But the DWP uncovered evidence that he had been lying about his condition for more than two years.
Investigators found Wieland made three separate visits to Thorpe Park, as well as surfing in Cancun and ziplining in Mexico. While she saved tens of thousands of pounds from Personal Independence Payments (PIP), she also spent money on manicures, tanning sessions and appointments at a private dentist on Harley Street.
When investigators confronted him with his bank statements he told them: “I didn’t realize you weren’t allowed to leave your home,” the DWP said.
Claiming that her health was so poor that she could not cook or wash for herself, Wieland made 76 beauty appointments, visited 60 bars, clubs and restaurants and spent her money in foreign currency.
Following his luxury trip to Mexico, Wieland submitted a review claiming his condition had worsened.
He pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change of circumstances and must now repay £23,662 stolen from taxpayers between 2021 and 2024.
On Thursday he was sentenced to 28 weeks in custody and suspended for 18 months, the DWP said.
Andrew Western, a DWP minister, said: “This is an insult to every hard-working taxpayer and the people who truly depend on Pip.
“Wieland lied repeatedly, exploited the system for every penny he could get, and then had the nerve to claim his condition worsened while ziplining and surfing in Mexico.
“We are committed to finding those who try to defraud taxpayers, and they will face consequences.”
