Latest news with #Stoke-on-TrentLive
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Benefit cheat mum has to repay £22k after being caught by Facebook post
Benefit cheat mum has to repay £22k after being caught by Facebook post She was running marathons while claiming thousands in PIP per month for her ill health She was competing in marathons while claiming thousands in PIP for being so unwell she was unable to bathe unassisted (Image: Instagram/Stone Master Marathoners ) A benefits swindler who pocketed more than £20,000 in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whilst participating in numerous running events has been ordered to pay back the money. Sara Morris was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2005 but exaggerated her condition in 2020 to claim benefits. The mother-of-three fibbed about the severity of her MS by stating she could not even stand at the cooker, had balance issues, and struggled to get out of the bath without help. She also claimed that leaving the house caused her so much anxiety that even a trip to the chemist to pick up her medication left her in tears, reports Stoke-on-Trent Live. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that she received £2,292.63 in PIP each month, and failed to inform the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) that she was actually a member of the Stone Master Marathoners and regularly participated in 5km and 10km races. Her own Facebook posts of her running exposed her deceit. Sara Morris pictured at court (Image: Stoke-on-Trent Live ) Morris, from Walton Way, Stone, was overpaid £20,528.83 between October 20, 2020 and April 25, 2023. She admitted to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefit and was sentenced to eight months in prison last July. The 50-year-old has reappeared at the same court for a Proceeds of Crime hearing. Judge Graeme Smith was informed that Morris had profited £22,386.02 from her criminal activities and the available amount was £60,000. The court heard investigators carried out surveillance on Morris from February 5 to February 20, 2023. Prosecutor Regan Walters said: "On February 5 she took part in a five-mile race and was seen running without assistance and showed no signs of balance problems. On February 11 she was seen running with the Stone Master Marathoners and showed no signs of discomfort." The investigation revealed that Morris competed in 73 races between May 2019 and December 2022. Sara Morris, 50 (Image: Instagram ) When interviewed on May 11, 2023, the defendant claimed her MS had worsened and she was suffering from fatigue. However, she confirmed she had been a member of Stone Master Marathoners running club prior to making her claim. She added that she had filled in her PIP form on her worst day. Paul Cliff, defending, said Morris was diagnosed with MS 19 years ago and that the severity of its impact varies. "But it is accepted by her that the application did not give the full picture. It crossed over into the realms of dishonesty," Mr Cliff said. He said Morris's marriage broke down in the spring of 2020, and that Morris did not enjoy a lavish lifestyle as a result of her fraudulent claim. Article continues below "She lost her home because of financial problems and was struggling to keep her head above water financially. "The application did not give the full picture. She did say running was one of the ways she tried to manage her MS. She has found it difficult to come to terms with her dishonesty." The judge ordered Morris to repay £22,386.02 within 28 days or face nine months in prison. Morris must also pay a £187 surcharge.
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Benefits cheat mum ordered to repay €26k after Facebook posts exposed her
A mum who swindled benefits has been told to cough up over €23,000 after her Facebook posts blew her cover. Sara Morris, 50, pocketed the cash while taking part in numerous running events. The mother-of-three was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2005. But in 2020, she overstated her symptoms and claimed Personal Independence Payment (PIP). She insisted she couldn't stand at her cooker or get out of a bath without help. She also said that even a simple trip to the chemist for her meds left her in tears. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard she was raking in £2,292.63 in PIP each month, according to Stoke-on-Trent Live. However, she conveniently forgot to tell the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) that she was actually a member of the Stone Master Marathoners and regularly ran 5km and 10km races. Her own Facebook posts showing her running were her downfall, reports the Mirror. Morris, from Walton Way, Stone, was overpaid by £20,528.83 between October 20, 2020 and April 25, 2023. She admitted to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefit and was put behind bars for eight months last July. She's now been back in court for a Proceeds of Crime hearing. Judge Graeme Smith heard that Morris had profited by £22,386.02 from her criminal actions. He ordered Morris to repay £22,386.02 within 28 days or face nine months in prison. The court was briefed on surveillance conducted on Morris from February 5 to February 20, 2023. Prosecutor Regan Walters noted: "On February 5 she took part in a five-mile race and was seen running without assistance and showed no signs of balance problems. On February 11 she was seen running with the Stone Master Marathoners and showed no signs of discomfort." Investigators found that Morris had taken part in 73 races between May 2019 and December 2022. When interviewed on May 11, 2023, Morris claimed her MS symptoms, including fatigue, had worsened. However, she confirmed that she had joined the Stone Master Marathoners running club before filing her claim. She also acknowledged that the PIP form she submitted reflected her condition on her worst day. Defence lawyer Paul Cliff mentioned that Morris has had MS for 19 years and the severity varies over time. He stated: "But it is accepted by her that the application did not give the full picture. It crossed over into the realms of dishonesty." Cliff revealed that Morris's marriage had deteriorated in early 2020 and dismissed the notion that she led an opulent life through her deceitful claim. "She lost her home because of financial problems and was struggling to keep her head above water financially," he added. "The application did not give the full picture. She did say running was one of the ways she tried to manage her MS. She has found it difficult to come to terms with her dishonesty." Morris is also required to pay a surcharge of £187.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Benefits cheat mum ordered to repay £22k after Facebook posts exposed her
Benefits cheat Sara Morris has been ordered to repay thousands of pounds after exaggerating the extent of her MS and being exposed by her own Facebook posts A benefits cheat mum has been ordered to repay more than £20,000 after she was exposed by Facebook posts. Sara Morris, 50, claimed the money while competing in scores of running events The mum-of-three was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2005. However, she exaggerated the extent of her condition in 2020 and claimed Personal Independence Payment (PIP). She claimed she was unable to stand at her cooker or get out of a bath unassisted. She also claimed to be so anxious when she left the house and even a trip to the pharmacy to collect her medication left her in tears. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard she was paid £2,292.63 in PIP a month, Stoke-on-Trent Live reports. But she failed to mention to the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) that she was in fact a member of the Stone Master Marathoners and regularly ran 5km and 10km races. She was caught out by her own Facebook posts of her running. Morris, of Walton Way, Stone, was overpaid £20,528.83 between October 20, 2020 and April 25, 2023. She pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefit and was jailed for eight months last July. Now she has reappeared at the same court for a Proceeds of Crime hearing. Judge Graeme Smith was told Morris benefited from her criminality by £22,386.02. He ordered Morris to repay £22,386.02 within 28 days or serve nine months in prison in default. The court heard investigators carried out surveillance on Morris from February 5 to February 20, 2023. Prosecutor Regan Walters said: "On February 5 she took part in a five-mile race and was seen running without assistance and showed no signs of balance problems. On February 11 she was seen running with the Stone Master Marathoners and showed no signs of discomfort." The investigation uncovered that Morris competed in 73 races between May 2019 and December 2022. The defendant was interviewed on May 11, 2023 and she stated her MS had worsened and she was suffering from fatigue. But she confirmed she had been a member of Stone Master Marathoners running club prior to making her claim. She added she filled in her PIP form on her worst day. Paul Cliff, mitigating, said Morris was diagnosed with MS 19 years ago and the 'severity of its impact ebbs and flows to a degree'. Mr Cliff said: "But it is accepted by her that the application did not give the full picture. It crossed over into the realms of dishonesty." He said Morris's marriage broke down in the spring of 2020. He said Morris did not enjoy a lavish lifestyle as a result of her fraudulent claim. Mr Cliff said: "She lost her home because of financial problems and was struggling to keep her head above water financially. "The application did not give the full picture. She did say running was one of the ways she tried to manage her MS. She has found it difficult to come to terms with her dishonesty." Morris must also pay a £187 surcharge.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Mum made sick arrangement with convicted paedo to rape her 12-year-old daughter
John Davies, 45, had planned to stay at a mother's home in order to sexually abuse her schoolgirl daughter, with a court hearing he sent the woman a series of sickening messages A mum arranged to rape her 12-year-old daughter with a convicted paedophile and invited him to stay in her home while her husband was away. She had been sent several messages from John Davies, 45, while the pair planned for him to stay at her address, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard. Davies had outlined his intentions to the Birmingham girl's mother, sickeningly claiming her child would be "sore by the end of the week". The man had also told the mother what underwear the schoolgirl should be wearing when he visited, while also sending images of his collection of sex toys. However, the scheme never unfolded as police arrested the man in his Staffordshire home before the arranged meeting occurred. It was at this point that the force found the messages he had sent to the mum. Police also reportedly found 132 indecent images of children at category A on Davies' phone, which is the most serious type of such images. The phone also contained 35 category B images and 77 at category C. Stoke-on-Trent Live reported that prosecutor Josh Daley said: "The images showed young girls, aged six to nine, being raped and in pain. The defendant was asked what age he likes and he said, 'Ideally seven to 10 being f*****'. He used 15 instant messaging services and he used usernames without informing the police." Judge Graeme Smith said that in his view Davies was "undoubtedly dangerous", adding that additional degradation and humiliation was intended to the victim by the use of sex toys. He said: "You discussed at length in disgustingly graphic detail what you intended to do to the woman's 12-year-old daughter." Staffordshire Police said in a statement on Wednesday, May 28, that its Public Protection Unit carried out an investigation on the paedophile after receiving intelligence that he had breached a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) in April 2024. The force added that Davies had been jailed after being convicted of nine child sexual offences. He had previously pleaded guilty in May 2024 to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, distributing an indecent photograph of a child, three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child and three counts of breaching a SHPO. A jury later found him guilty of arranging the commission of a child sex offence, namely the rape of a child under 13. The 45-year-old was sentenced to 20 years in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Tuesday, May 27. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life. Detective Constable Nathalie Connolly, who led the case against Davey, said: "I am pleased that we have been able to deliver a positive outcome on this case. "I hope this sentencing shows that we are committed to tackling child sex offences and keeping children across Staffordshire safe."
Metro
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Phil Taylor sends message to fans as he officially retires from all darts
Phil Taylor has confirmed that he will no longer be playing darts, retiring from exhibitions seven years after leaving the professional game. The 16-time world champion played his final pro match on January 1, 2018 when he lost the World Championship final to Rob Cross at Alexandra Palace. That brought to an end the greatest career the sport has seen, with the Power narrowly missing out on a fairytale ending with a 17th world title. The Stoke legend continued to play exhibitions and performed in some Seniors events, but has now hung up his arrows for good after dealing with a number of injuries and health issues. In a video message on his website, Taylor said: 'I'm officially announcing that I've finished playing darts now 'So if anybody wants to come and see me, I won't be playing darts now. You can meet me, great me, have a picture with me, have a chat with me, but I won't be playing darts anymore. 'Just to let you know, so you're not disappointed.' A longer statement from the 64-year-old on Tuesday read: 'After a long and fantastic career over the last 40 years, I announce that from today I am retiring from playing darts. It has been a privilege to be part of such a vibrant and passionate community. 'I would like to thank each and everyone for your support through this incredible journey. Your encouragement and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind my success. 'A journey which has enabled me to achieve more than I could have ever imagined. I am grateful for the friendships I've formed and the experiences I've shared. 'As one chapter closes, another one opens. This transition opens up new opportunities for me to explore and engage with the sport in different ways. 'I look forward to meeting fans old and new around the country and I will continue to update this website with future announcements. Please stay tuned for upcoming events, appearances, and projects that I am excited to undertake. 'Thank you once again for all the wonderful memories.' The official retirement comes after Taylor was said to be 'horrified' that a fan expected to see him play at a recent theatre show but was left disappointed. Mark Moreton told Stoke-on-Trent Live of the show at the at Birmingham Town Hall: 'The description of the event was that it was going to be an exhibition match performed by Phil, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. But when we got there, it was just random people from the audience playing against some other random people. We did not make the effort to attend to ultimately watch Carol from Dudley attempt to play darts.' Taylor's manager Bob Glenn said: 'Phil is horrified to know that it was advertised that he would actually be playing. We'd told promoters months previously that wouldn't be the case. All future shows on the tour are making that clear. 'Phil doesn't play darts any more and he hasn't done for well over 12 months. That's thanks to having his hip done and his eyes done. However, he's not happy with the fact these guys have travelled down from Stoke-on-Trent and not seen what they expected to see. 'So Phil's daughter Lisa is getting in touch with Mark to sort something out. Phil is planning to travel to Mark's house and give him a signed shirt. He'll also be going in to have a sit down and a cup of tea with them all.'
