Ex-Soldier Who 'Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro' Jailed For Disability Benefits Fraud

A former soldier who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and won a triathlon while fraudulently claiming thousands of pounds in disability benefits has been jailed.

Mark Lloyd also competed in the Phoenix Winter Games and took part in the World Powerboat Championships in Malta while receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) from October 2014 to February 2016.

The 33-year-old told benefits assessors that he had severe restrictions to his mobility and ability to care for himself after suffering a back injury and post-traumatic stress disorder while serving in the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan but was found to have overstated his needs.

After a trial at Merthyr Magistrates' Court, he was found guilty of dishonestly failing to disclose information to make a gain for himself.

On Thursday, District Judge Martin Brown said the claims were "completely and utterly fanciful".

Sentencing Lloyd, from Pontypridd, South Wales, to 20 weeks in prison, he said:

"You have blatantly lied to this court throughout and I hope that you will reflect on that throughout your sentence."