A benefits fraudster who claimed she needed help to wash and cook was busted after she posted videos of her £60 pole dancing class on TikTok.

Angela Elizabeth Clare, 45, fiddled £28,000 benefits by saying she had poor physical health but showed in clips on social media that she was able to hang upside down and perform the splits.

She was running the premium pole dancing and yoga classes which she advertised online.

She had also failed to notify the authorities after winning £30,000 in the Postcode Lottery in 2021.

But the court heard Clare was getting taxpayer’s money in Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, and housing benefit between 2016 and 2022.

Angela Elizabeth Clare, 45, fiddled £28,000 benefits by saying she had poor physical health but showed in clips on social media that she was able to hang upside down and perform the splits

She was running the premium pole dancing and yoga classes which she advertised online

She had also failed to notify the authorities after winning £30,000 in the Postcode Lottery in 2021

A judge heard the claims were initially genuine – but Care failed to notify that her health had improved enough to take up the pole dancing.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Clare claimed she was unable to cook for herself, needed assistance washing and bathing, and required constant monitoring to take her medication.

Prosecutor Ross McQuillan-Johnson said: ‘This was a marked difference compared to a number of postings on social media.’

The court heard she had posted TikTok videos as well as on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Screenshots were made of these social media posts which depicted Clare hanging upside down and performing the splits while pole dancing.

She was also caught reviewing a local pole dance studio – saying it had ‘good vibes that instantly put you at peace’. 

Clare also offered services on a freelance basis as an on call instructor and yoga classes. The beginner classes were charged at £60 per person.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Clare claimed she was unable to cook for herself, needed assistance washing and bathing, and required constant monitoring to take her medication (stock photo)

The total amount she claimed illegally came to £28,867 between January 31, 2020 and September 12, 2022.

Clare, of Abersychan, Pontypool, Gwent, pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions and Torfaen Council of a change of circumstances.

The court heard she was of previous good character.

Adam Sharp, defending, said: ‘She is utterly ashamed by what she had done.’

Mr Sharp said Clare had made some repayments of the benefit cash.

But he added she still had underlying and serious medical conditions, including the loss of a breast and the requirement of a stoma bag, as well as long standing mental health issues.

Sentencing, Recorder Robin Rouch sentenced Clare to 18 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months.

She was also made subject to a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will be started in a bid to reclaim some of the money.