Karate champion who claimed disability benefits jailed for 15 months

A woman who won karate competitions while claiming disability benefits has been jailed for 15 months.

47-year-old Claire Thomas from Gloucester claimed more than £70,000 in benefits, saying she could not walk without assistance due to brittle asthma.

A jury took 26 minutes yesterday to find Thomas guilty of seven charges of defrauding the Department of Work and Pensions.

She had claimed disability benefits on the grounds that she was a jobless single parent and that she suffered from asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes.

The jury saw secretly filmed footage of Thomas as she left her home, drove her car, went to karate club sessions and took part in training and competitions.

She was also seen smoking and kissing her husband Kevin, despite claiming he did not live with her or contribute to her household.

The court heard from Probation Officer Jo Hall that Thomas intended to "commit suicide anyway that she can" if she went to prison but an approved mental health social worker found no treatable mental disorder.

Ms Hall went on to say that Thomas maintained her innocence and did not accept her crime. Ms Hall said there was no alternative but to propose an immediate custodial sentence.

The judge, Recorder Gordon Bebb QC told Thomas her offending was "determined and widespread."