3 replies to this topic

[Apparelyzed]

Champion fought 100 times while on disability benefit
By Simon de Bruxelles

A PROFESSIONAL boxer fought about 100 contests while claiming disability benefits for chronic asthma.

Keith Jones, 37, drove to training sessions in a car provided under the Motability scheme for disabled people and fought at Wembley, Cardiff International Arena and the MEN Arena, Manchester. Some of his fights were televised by BBC and Sky Sports and he was crowned Welsh welterweight champion while claiming disability benefits.

Jones, a father of three from Cefn Hengoed, near Caer- philly, received benefits for ten years after claiming that his job spray-painting television stands in a factory had left him “breathless”, “dribbling” and unable to work. In fact, he had returned to work after less than a year.

Ashley Harkus, for the prosecution, told Blackwood Magistrates’ Court that Jones had claimed nearly £20,000, mainly linked to his car. The criminal prosecution was for £8,365. The boxer was first paid disability allowance in 1995 when he took a year off work after developing asthma. Mr Harkus said: “Jones said the symptoms included a tight chest, breathlessness and dribbling. He said it left him unable to climb stairs unassisted.”

Jones went back to his factory job a year later, but continued to claim until 2005. He was given free use of a series of Motability cars, which he used to drive to training and fights.

The court was told that he was caught only when the tax authorities began to investigate his earnings from boxing. The investigation was eventually dropped, but details were passed to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Jones denied fraud. He claimed that he did not know that he was supposed to tell the authorities that he was returning to work.

He said: “I thought the disability living allowance was granted for life. I did not know it was my responsibility to tell the benefits office I was well enough to work and fight.”

He had resumed his boxing career after his asthma was “dramatically improved” by breathing exercises recommended by a doctor. He admitted that he had not told the British Boxing Board of Control that he had asthma and that he was getting disability allowance. “I knew if I told them I had asthma they would make a full inquiry and stop me boxing. I loved it so much.”

Jones competed professionally in 107 fights, with 9 wins, 7 draws and 91 defeats. He was convicted and fined £500, with £100 costs.

Alun Humphreys, chairman of the magistrates, told him: “You should have told the authorities of your improved health and should have known you were no longer disabled.”

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said that Jones would have to repay more than £18,000 in benefits. He added: “This is an excellent example of how we are cracking down on all benefit fraud cheats. Our investigators have more powers than ever before.”

[Apparelyzed]

Quote

Jones competed professionally in 107 fights, with 9 wins, 7 draws and 91 defeats.

91 defeats!

Boy he really didn't get the message did he!

Maybe he should of tried fighting these guys.

Nah, he'd still of lost.

Simon

[lune14]

I'm not sure I believe his innocense. There are so many people who really need state/government assistance and many who are on it are just barely getting by. This type of person upsets me as I watch so many people suffer without proper medical care (especially in the US).

Glad they caught him!

[crash]

Apparelyzed, on Jun 28 2006, 12:21 PM, said:

Quote

Jones competed professionally in 107 fights, with 9 wins, 7 draws and 91 defeats.

91 defeats!

Boy he really didn't get the message did he!

Maybe he should of tried fighting these guys.

Nah, he'd still of lost.

Simon

I wanted to see a knockout!