Council officer caught sprinting while signed off sick (From Croydon Guardian)

Council officer caught sprinting while signed off sick with back trouble

4:00pm Thursday 26th August 2010 in News By Mike Didymus

A council finance officer was caught on camera sprinting at Croydon athletics track while signed off work with a back injury, a court heard yesterday.

Matthew Thomas is alleged to have taken part in national athletics contests and took money to coach youths in the art of sprinting despite telling his employers he was unable to work after falling off a ladder.

A trial at Inner London Crown Court heard the East Ham resident received almost £14,000 in full pay while signed off work for seven months, before resigning his job at Newham Council in June 2008.

The jury was shown video footage of the 34-year-old sprinting at Croydon atheltics track in April 2008, Crystal Palace in May 2008 and coaching young athletes in a scheme set up by the Metropolitan Police.

Mr Thomas is alleged to have told his employers he found it difficult to perform everyday tasks due to his back injury, but the court had previously heard he took part in major athletics competitions in Birmingham and Surrey in early 2008.

He denies fraudulenty claiming sick pay. The trial continues.