A man who was believed to be quadriplegic was caught walking around in a grocery store, exposing a $64,000 scam.
The Guardian reports that Alan Knight, 47, of Swansea, South Wales, spent two years faking medical ailments, including seizures that sometimes left him comatose, in an attempt to avoid being sanctioned for swindling an elderly man out of his savings.
Knight pleaded guilty to 19 counts of fraud, theft and forgery charges on Tuesday in Swansea Crown Court.
The court heard that Knight worked as the care taker for his elderly neighbor, Ivor Richards. Knight used his position to funnel £41,570 out of Richards' accounts, according to the BBC.
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Knight's wife claimed she had to support him after he became quadriplegic following an accident trying to open a garage door. This also allowed Knight to collect disability payments from the government.
But his injuries were a ruse, according to Judge Paul Thomas.
The judge wanted Knight to come to court to see video footage of himself walking around in a Tesco supermarket and driving along the Severn Bridge roadway.
Knight avoided appearing in court to face charges on the $64,000 fraud on at least two occasions by checking himself into a hospital.
"There are aspects to this case which in my experience are unique and it seems a strong message needs to be sent out to anyone who seeks to adopt the same tactics in the future," Thomas said.
Knight is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
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