One Legged Man Actually Has Plenty To Stand On In Court.

[mongers]

What a baffling case, why did they decide to make it ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-23771631

'Wrong leg' fraud case dropped at Exeter Crown Court

A man accused of benefits fraud has had his prosecution dropped because the investigations looked at the wrong leg.

Robert Punter, 63, from Devon, said his disability benefits claim was based on injuries to his left leg.

He was taken to Exeter Crown Court because authorities believed he was claiming for his right foot, he said.

In court, prosecutors did not offer evidence. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) said pursuing he case was not in the public interest.
Leg amputated

Ex-lorry driver Mr Punter, from Newton Abbot, had received £28,000 over 12 years in disability allowance.

He had claimed based on an injury to his left leg, which was shattered in a boyhood shotgun accident. It was eventually amputated in January.
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Our fraud investigators present the best evidence possible"
Department of Work and Pensions

The DWP began prosecution proceedings on the basis he had claimed benefits in relation to an injury to his right foot, which had been treated for a severe toe injury.

Officials found a letter in his medical file showing he had made a full recovery from an operation to that leg.

Mr Punter had denied falsely claiming disability living allowance, adding he had been working from the ages of 15 to 63.

The case was dropped after his solicitor obtained a statement from a hospital consultant confirming Mr Punter had always suffered from a disability which entitled him to benefit.

Mr Punter said the "whole business has been a nightmare" and it was "such a relief" the case was dropped.

He said: "The stress it has been causing us. I had to give my job up last September, and all this [dealing with having his amputation] has been going on at the same time."

Mr Punter praised his solicitor and the CPS barrister who decided to drop the case, saying: "At least someone was listening to us at last."

In a statement the Department of Work and Pensions said its fraud investigators presented the best evidence possible and it was ultimately for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to proceed with a prosecution.

It added that the case had been dropped "in light of his [Mr Punter's] deteriorating health".