A BENEFITS cheat who claimed he could barely walk chased thieves through a shopping centre while working as a security guard.
Kevin Baker, 45, fraudulently claimed more than £50,000 in benefits while declaring he was unfit to work.
Instead, he worked for three security firms over almost five years and bragged about being a "martial arts expert".
Hull Crown Court heard that when Baker began claiming benefits in 1995 he was genuinely unable to work as he had arthritis and acromegaly, a hormonal disorder affecting the joints.
But when his condition improved, he failed to inform the Department for Work and Pensions, despite regularly signing forms to say he would do so.
In total, he falsely claimed £28,490.51 in incapacity benefit, £17,068.11 in disability living allowance and £6,541.13 in income support.
While claiming benefits, Baker, of Amethyst Road, east Hull, claimed he was "virtually unable to walk", and was "concerned about falling over".
But between October 2007 and April 2008, he worked for Keepsafe Guarding Services as a security guard in a Gamestation shop in Hull.
He worked at the same shop for 24/7 Security Solutions from May 2008 to March 2012, and from March 2012, Baker worked full-time for Shield Security at venues around the city, including Prospect Shopping Centre.
The court heard it was an "active" and "physical" job and that Baker worked five days a week on six to eight-hour shifts.
He got a 15-minute break in the morning, 30 minutes for lunch, and 15 minutes in the afternoon, "but rarely took the break", Stephen Robinson, prosecuting, said.
"He was on his feet for five hours a day and assisted other security guards detaining anyone as necessary," he said.
Mr Robinson said Baker "impressed" managers with his work, which involved "running after people who were thieves".
Baker was also able to complete a course on "the lawful use of force".
When he was interviewed after his lies were exposed he did make some admissions.
In relation to income support, which he also claimed on behalf of his wife and children, Baker acknowledged he could have declared his work and earnings, "but due to crippling debts he didn't".
"He didn't like the fact he'd been doing it," Mr Robinson said.
David Godfrey, defending, said Baker had been taking steroids since he was a young man, which acted as a "pain masker".
Mr Godfrey said: "He accepts that he was employed in that regard but he was in a great deal of pain and he self-medicated in effect.
"He wore knee supports. His GP was of the opinion he shouldn't have been working."
Recorder Philip Kramer sentenced Baker to a total of 29 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to do 200 hours of unpaid work.
He told him: "Can you manage to stand? If not, you can sit."
Baker remained standing in the dock.
Recorder Kramer said: "Originally your claims were justified, but there came a time when you should have told the Department for Work and Pensions what your real condition was.
"It is in the category of a prison sentence.
"In your case, it will be a suspended sentence."
Prosecutors have launched confiscation proceedings against Baker, with a hearing set for April 16 next year.
