Martial art man's 'benefit fraud'
Adrian Blayney
A man running twice-weekly martial arts courses was overpaid £11,100 disability living allowance, a court has heard.
A fraud investigator watched Adrian Blayney, 49, teaching choi kwang do at Aberdare, Neath magistrates were told.
But Mr Blayney, of Cimla, Neath, told the court his role in the classes at Aberdare was mostly supervisory.
He denies failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of changing circumstances, and the trial continues.
Prosecutor Claire Templeton told the court Mr Blayney had been claiming the allowance at the highest rate.
This was for people either unable to walk or able to walk only in severe pain.
He was also in receipt of care allowance at the lowest rate for help in preparing his main meal of the day.
There's not a day I can honestly say I'm without pain
Adrian Blayney
DWP fraud investigator David Williams told the court in October 2006 they received a tip-off Mr Blayney was teaching martial arts in Neath and Aberdare.
On two occasions, he travelled to a leisure centre in Aberdare where he observed Mr Blayney taking classes.
"He seemed to be demonstrating certain movements - lifting his arm and turning his body," said Mr Williams.
He said Mr Blayney, who was dressed in a black uniform with gold lettering, was walking around the hall and interacting with the students.
Mr Blayney was interviewed under caution in January 2007 and his entitlement to the benefits has since been withdrawn.
'Rest'
Giving evidence, Mr Blayney said while working for Ethnic Cuisine in Swansea in 2001 he slipped in a chiller, badly injuring his back.
The following year, he suffered a heart attack, which he said made the condition worse.
The court heard he was on daily medication for pain relief.
"There's not a day I can honestly say I'm without pain," he said.
"I can walk a bit but I walk with severe discomfort."
He told the court that his role running the courses was largely supervisory, with other instructors involved in the more physical aspects.
"I walk around and rest, walk around and rest," he added.
He said he was involved in teaching close range moves such as hand-grabs and pressure points, which did not involve "large or sudden movements".
The court heard that he was overpaid between April 2003 and December 2006