Benefits cheat who claimed she had ‘extreme anxiety’ caught ziplining on holiday

A disability benefits cheat who claimed she was too scared to leave the house but went on holiday to Mexico has been spared jail.

Catherine Wieland blew more than £23,000 in benefits on living a lavish lifestyle, including a trip to Mexico and a free BMW.

Wieland, 33, claimed personal independence payments (PIP), which help people who have long-term physical and mental health conditions or disabilities, in March 2021.

She cited mental health issues, including PTSD, emotionally unstable personality disorder and depression.

She told the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) she could no longer leave the house due to ‘extreme anxiety’, and if she did not receive assistance, she would stay at home in pyjamas all day.

Wieland was approved for enhanced payments as well as the Motability Scheme, under which she received a BMW saloon in July 2022.

CPS prosecutor Sarah Thorne said Wieland told DWP she was ‘unable to make short journeys alone’, ‘would have a panic attack if she went out alone’ and ‘didn’t like loud noise’.

However, while receiving PIP, Wieland was living a ‘lavish lifestyle’, the court heard, including taking her 16-year-old son on a three-week holiday to Mexico, during which she went ziplining and drove a buggy.

She also visited 60 pubs, clubs and cafes, theme parks and went to Brighton Pride, Ms Thorne said.

An investigation was launched following an anonymous tip-off and evidence was collected from pictures and videos on Facebook.

Ms Thorne said: ‘She was able to go shopping on a daily basis. She was heard to say she would keep pushing her claim until she got a car.’

Video evidence contradicted claims that there was a ‘lack of self-care’, as she was seen with false nails, fake tan and fake eyelashes.

When she was interviewed in November 2023, Wieland said she had ‘good and bad days, but there were more bad than good’.

She added that she ‘still had issues with anxiety and public transport’ and that on their holiday to Mexico, she ‘heavily medicated and minimised her activity’.

Ms Thorne said the Crown ‘accepted there were underlying issues’ with Wieland’s mental health, including childhood trauma and abusive relationships.

She said that although Wieland’s claim may have been genuine at first, it became fraudulent as time went on.

The court heard Wieland has paid back £120 of the £23,622.64 owed to DWP, and is repaying the rest from her benefits.

Defending Wieland, Daniel Frier told the court: ‘The basis of the claim was mental health issues. She has suffered from serious mental health issues.’

He added she was diagnosed with depression, PTSD, personality disorder and anxiety and is prescribed ‘a number of different medications’.

‘She does accept full responsibility for this offence,’ he added. ‘She candidly said she did not want the money to stop. She is sorry for what she has done.’

Wieland pleaded guilty to the fraud charge on January 16, with Judge Joshua Swirsky saying her actions were a crime against ‘all members of society’.

He said: ‘You used these payments to live out what has been described as a lavish lifestyle. This is pure and simple fraud. This is not a victimless crime.

‘There are only limited funds available to the Department for Work and Pensions. You limited the funds that may be available in future years.’

She was sentenced to 28 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Lewes Crown Court in Hove.

She was also ordered to attend 12 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions

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