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SARA MORRIS CLAIMED SHE WAS UNABLE TO STAND AT THE COOKER, LACKED BALANCE AND FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF THE BATH REG-MSP ADMINISTRATOR, STEVE GRAVES Executive Editor Digital and
STOKESENTINEL ADMINISTRATOR 14:16, 01 Jun 2025Updated 14:16, 01 Jun 2025 A deceitful mother who falsely claimed over £20,000 in benefits while actively participating in numerous running
events has been instructed to return the funds. Sara Morris, 50, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2005 but exaggerated her condition in 2020 to claim Personal Independence Payment
(PIP). The mother of three fabricated stories about the severity of her MS, claiming she lacked the strength to stand at the cooker, had balance issues and struggled to get out of the bath
without help. She also alleged that leaving her house caused such anxiety that even a trip to the chemist for her medication would reduce her to tears. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that
she received £2,292.63 in PIP each month. However, she neglected to inform the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) that she was an active member of the Stone Master Marathoners and
regularly participated in 5km and 10km races. Her dishonesty was exposed by her own Facebook posts documenting her running activities. Morris, from Walton Way, Stone, was overpaid by
£20,528.83 between October 20, 2020, and April 25, 2023. She admitted to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefit and was sentenced to eight months in prison last July,
reports Stoke-on-Trent Live. Article continues below She recently reappeared at the same court for a Proceeds of Crime hearing. Judge Graeme Smith was informed that Morris had profited by
£22,386.02 from her criminal actions and had £60,000 available. He ordered Morris to repay £22,386.02 within 28 days or face an additional nine months in prison. During the court
proceedings, prosecutors said surveillance activities on Morris spanned from February 5 to February 20, 2023. Prosecutor Regan Walters added: "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." Further enquiries revealed Morris had participated in 73 competitions from May 2019 to December 2022. On May 11, 2023, when interviewed, the defendant reflected on the
exacerbation of her MS symptoms, highlighting an increase in fatigue. She acknowledged her prior membership of the Stone Master Marathoners before her benefits claim, noting she completed
her PIP form on a particularly bad day. Paul Cliff, defending, said Morris, who had been living with MS for 19 years, experienced variations in the severity of her condition. He admitted:
"But it is accepted by her that the application did not give the full picture. It crossed over into the realms of dishonesty." Article continues below Mr Cliff told the courtroom
about the collapse of Morris's marriage in early 2020 and dismissed the notion that her deceitful claim funded an extravagant lifestyle, outlining her financial struggles and home loss
instead. He added: "She lost her home because of financial problems and was struggling to keep her head above water financially." Highlighting Morris's regret, he said:
"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." Morris is also required to pay a surcharge of £187.