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Benefits cheat mum who claimed she was too ill to cook caught out by Facebook postsSara Morris fraudulently claimed Personal Independence Payment after lying about the severity of her
Multiple Sclerosis - but was caught out by her running postsHolly Morgan13:34, 02 Jun 2025Sara Morris pictured at court(Image: Stoke-on-Trent Live) A benefits cheat who fraudulently claimed
over £20,000 in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whilst actively participating in numerous running events has been ordered to repay the sum. Sara Morris was diagnosed with Multiple
Sclerosis in 2005 but exaggerated her condition in 2020 to claim benefits.
The mother-of-three lied about the severity of her MS, claiming she couldn't even stand at the cooker, had balance issues, and struggled to get out of the bath without assistance. She also
alleged that leaving the house caused her such anxiety that even a trip to the chemist to collect her medication left her in tears, according to Stoke-on-Trent Live.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that she received a monthly PIP payment, and failed to inform the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) that she was actually a member of the Stone
Master Marathoners and regularly participated in 5km and 10km races. Her own Facebook posts of her running exposed her dishonesty.
Morris, from Walton Way, Stone, was overpaid £20,528.83 between October 20, 2020 and April 25, 2023. She confessed to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefit and was
sentenced to eight months in prison last July, reports Wales Online.
The 50 year old has reappeared at the same court for a Proceeds of Crime hearing. Judge Graeme Smith was informed that Morris had profited £22,386.02 from her criminal activities and the
available amount was £60,000.
The court was informed that surveillance on Morris occurred from 5 to 20 February 2023. Prosecutor Regan Walters remarked, "On February 5 she took part in a five-mile race and was seen
running without assistance and showed no signs of balance problems. On February 11 she was seen running with the Stone Master Marathoners and showed no signs of discomfort."
Article continues belowSara Morris was caught out by her social media posts(Image: Instagram) Morris's participation in 73 races from May 2019 to December 2022 was unearthed during the
investigation. During her interview on 11 May 2023, Morris alleged her MS had deteriorated, leading to increased fatigue, yet acknowledged her membership with the Stone Master Marathoners
running club before filing her claim.
As Morris stated, her PIP application reflected her condition on what she considered her worst day. Defending, Paul Cliff pointed out that his client was diagnosed with MS nineteen years
previously, noting the fluctuating intensity of its effects. "But it is accepted by her that the application did not give the full picture. It crossed over into the realms of dishonesty,"
articulated Mr Cliff.
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He elaborated on Morris's personal hardships, including a collapsed marriage in Spring 2020, and dispelled any notion that she lived extravagantly off the fraudulent claim. With financial
woes causing her to lose her home, Morris was under significant monetary pressure.
"The application did not give the full picture. She did say running was one of the ways she tried to manage her MS. She has found it difficult to come to terms with her dishonesty."
Article continues below The judge instructed Morris to reimburse £22,386.02 within a 28-day period or risk a nine-month prison sentence. Additionally, Morris is required to pay a surcharge
of £187.
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