A 67 year old man who was paid benefits of nearly £60,000 after claiming he could hardly walk was photographed jogging up a hill and painting on a rooftop, a court heard.

Secret surveillance of Anthony Pritchard in February last year 'demonstrated far greater capabilities than he claimed,' Gloucester crown court was told.

Pritchard, of Dalloway Estate, Thrupp, nr Stroud, had claimed Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments by stating he was 'virtually unable to walk,' said prosecutor Alun Williams.

Pritchard admitted four offences of benefit fraud between August 2006 and April 2017. He had received £59,211.25 more than he was entitled to, Mr Williams told Judge Michael Cullum.

The prosecutor said two of Pritchard's offences related to him failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions that he was receiving rental income from his property. He received income support and pension credit without revealing that income.

But the 'particularly serious' offences he committed related to him failing to notify the DWP that his 'capabilities had improved and his care needs reduced', Mr Williams said.

Pritchard made the claim for DLA on the basis that he was 'virtually unable to walk' but covert surveillance between 16th and 28th February 2017 'demonstrated far greater capabilities than he claimed', said the prosecutor.

Mr Williams said he was seen 'jogging' to his car up and down a slope of 80 metres, 'unaided, without pain or imbalance'. Pritchard was also observed 'walking at pace, albeit with a slight limp' and 'visiting B&Q and parking 50 metres from the entrance, ignoring the disabled bay'.

"Finally he was also witnessed on 11th June 2017 at the Gloucester Motor Show, walking along unaided with no assistance," the prosecutor said. "There is a slight limp but no walking aids."

Those investigations led the department to request a police search warrant of his address.

"No bedding was found downstairs," Mr Williams said, "and the garden was neat and tidy."

The barrister said: "There was photographic evidence of a very full lifestyle. Capabilities far greater than he declared." He referred to photos of a 'new motorhome' with bikes mounted on a rear rack, sightseeing trips to the Olympic games in 2012, and of Pritchard on the roof of his extension project getting involved in the painting.

The court heard that in interview following his arrest Pritchard' maintained his stance, until confronted with evidence.' Mr Williams said: "But then he was obfuscating and sarcastic - challenging the prosecution to prove it."

Sarah Jenkins, representing Pritchard said: "He has suffered from a number of different health complaints."

She said he struggled with anxiety and being in crowded spaces. The trips to the Olympic Games were with a partner who 'helps him tolerate situations he could not do on his own'.

"There were periods of time when it seemed to be worse and periods when better," the lawyer said. "If there was a day when he felt well in the morning he would try and do jobs around the house.

"When it happened it would only be for a short period of time," she said. "If he pushed past that, his condition would feel much worse.

"Since the investigation begun, there has been a continuing decline in is health. He cannot walk unaided at the moment," the lawyer said.

She also told the judge that Pritchard was under the care of two specialists due to his present health problems.

Mrs Jenkins said that as a result of the proceeds of crime procedures, his assets would be liquidised and he faced losing his home.

Imposing a suspended jail term, Judge Cullum said: "You are now in decreasing health, and have had matters of ill health for some time. But it certainly did not stop you when you were covertly observed, jogging, walking unaided, and going to B&Q, all in 2017."

The Judge told Pritchard: "You were simply not being honest with the authorities, exaggerating and to be honest and lying." He had been doing 'a huge number of people a disservice'.

The judge imposed a nine month jail term suspended for twelve months and fixed a proceeds of crime hearing for 4th March next year.