"Disabled" benefit cheat showed dogs at Crufts

A dog trainer who claimed she could hardly walk was caught out after she was photographed taking part in the country’s top show.

Cheating Linda Avery, aged 57, was pictured at Crufts exhibiting a collie while pocketing the highest rate of disability benefit, a court heard.

Investigators tailed Avery to a Devon show where they filmed her lifting and preparing dogs for the ring.

She was paid more than £12,000 to which she was not entitled over nearly two years, Plymouth Crown Court heard.

Judge Paul Darlow commented: “Her condition has improved enough to be seen running dogs around rings at Crufts. It is one hell of a recovery.”

Avery, who does walk with a stick, pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify an improvement in her condition affecting her claim for Disability Living Allowance between October 2014 and July 2016.

The court heard that she started receiving the higher rate for DLA in late 2014.

Plymouth Live understands that she posted a picture on Facebook of her showing a dog at Crufts. Investigators then filmed her exhibiting at Paignton Dog Show.

Ali Rafati, for Avery, said she was still receiving benefits. He said: “She failed to notify improvements in her health and that resulted her receiving the higher rate benefit to which she would not have been entitled.”

Sally Daulton, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said that the authorities would be launching legal action to claw back the money through the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Avery, from Efford, was driven away in an expensive-looking VW Transporter Van.

Judge Darlow ordered a probation report and released Avery on bail until March 8.