General Chat

I wouldn't mind spending 5 months in jail for a net profit of £22,000, and neither would a lot of other people. Unless they make him pay it back, then it is pointless jailing him. OC

I have been disabled all my life. I am a wheelchair user. I applied for the care allowance when I was younger and was told I couldnt get it because I was too independent. He should pay it back.. Absolutely disgusting!!

Yes, he should pay it all back - he was well aware of what he was doing!! There are many more people with genuine disabilites - but not his cunning - that are being refused benefits!!! I am healthy - haven't been to the docs in years - but I couldn't run a marathon!! On his logic - I must be disabled!! maggie

My opinion is that he should be made to work while in jail and the pay he gets should go to paying back the money.then when he is on the outside(he will probably only serve 6 months) he should be made to work and 3/4 of his wage every week should be payed back until all the money is payed and he should also pay the interest that would accumalated on the money he claimed. I agree that if he has a car/property it should be held by the court until the money has been paid off. The only problem I could see is if the court took his house off him then the council where he lives would have to re-house him if he has children under 18 yrs. Suexx

Yes, he should pay it back..........if necessary, all his property should be seized, and sold to raise the money. Reg

Yes I do. I calimed DLA because I can't walk without pain and without a walking stick, but I had to go through the whole appeal process before they finally decided that I was eligible. Why should he get to keep the money he has obtained by fraud, when I and others have to fight for every penny?

Hi Sue, How he fooled the medical board,is beyond belief. Makes me wonder how would he be able to pay it back, when he comes out of prison, he will be on benefit anyway. No doubt when he is released,he will get council tax benefit, all sorts of benefits. To me,sounds harsh I know, he ought not to get a penny, but go and work for free,and be handed his food,but nothing else. Just a few opinions,but I will keep the rest to myself. Trish

I don't see why not....

surely he knew he had a high risk of getting caught and yes he should pay all the money back as well as imprisonment. He was well fit enough to work if he was fit enough to run marathons.

Amarathon runner who disonestly claimed more than £22,000 in disability benefits has been jailed for 10 months. Paul Appleby,of Kirkby-in-Ashfield admitted one count of failing to notify a change in circumstances between 2001 and 2005 at Nottingham Crown Court. The 47 year old regularly ran half and full marathons but had claimed on benefit forms that he was unable to walk without walking sticks. Do you think he should pay ALL the money back as well as the jail sentence. Sue