Benefits cheat claimed she was too ill to wash herself - then got caught pole dancing

Angela Clare, 45, claimed £28,000 as she claimed she was unable to perform tasks such as cooking or washing herself, but was caught posting videos of herself pole dancing online

A benefits cheat who claimed she was too ill to wash herself has been ordered to pay back more than £10,000 after she was caught pole dancing.

Angela Elizabeth Clare, 45, claimed £28,000 in benefits due to her apparent health issues which left her unable to perform simple tasks for herself. However she was then caught posting videos of herself pole dancing on social media for classes she advertised online, including hanging upside down and performing the splits.

Cardiff Crown Court heard she claimed she "was unable to cook for herself, needed assistance washing and bathing, and required constant monitoring to take her medication." Prosecutor Ross McQuillan-Johnson said this description was a "marked difference" compared to TikTok videos she posted, as well as posts on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Screenshots were made of these social media posts which depicted Clare hanging upside down and performing the splits while pole dancing. She also offered services on a freelance basis as an on-call instructor for yoga classes. The beginner classes were charged at £60 per person.

There was a further failure to notify the authorities after Clare won £30,000 on the Postcode Lottery in 2021. The total amount she claimed illegally came to £28,867. The court heard Clare was getting taxpayers money in Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, and housing benefit between 2016 and 2022.

A judge heard the claims were initially genuine - but Clare failed to notify her health had improved enough to take up the hobby. Clare, of Abersychan, Pontypool, Gwent, pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions and Torfaen Council of a change of circumstances.

The court heard she was of previous good character. Adam Sharp, defending, said: "She is utterly ashamed by what she had done." The total amount she claimed illegally came to £28,867 between January 31, 2020 and September 12, 2022.

Mr Sharp said Clare had made some repayments of the benefit cash and added she still had underlying and serious medical conditions, including the loss of a breast and the requirement of a stoma bag, as well as long standing mental health issues.

Sentencing, Recorder Robin Rouch sentenced Clare to 18 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months. She was also made subject to a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will be started in a bid to reclaimed some of the money. At a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday the court heard Clare benefited to the tune of £27,412 but only has assets worth £13,176.

Judge Carl Harrison ordered her to pay that sum within three months.