Lifeboat heromade falsebenefit claims

A member of a lifeboat crew who was honoured for his bravery during a heroic rescue was falsely claiming disability benefits at the time, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed.

Mason Bentley, 34, was presented with a national RNLI award in 2008 for his part in a daring rescue of a swimmer in atrocious conditions while he was serving with the Flamborough Lifeboat, in East Yorkshire, the year before. He was one of a three-man crew who plucked the man to safety from 26ft waves off Flamborough Head.

But magistrates heard last week how Bentley, who was also known as Alistair Docherty, was claiming a level of disability allowance meant for those whose problems affect their day-to-day living.

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The DWP confirmed Bentley, of Thornton-le-Dale, Pickering, North Yorkshire, admitted a charge of failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting his entitlement to benefits.

He was given a six-month curfew order and forced to pay 70 costs as well as having to repay 9,942 of falsely claimed benefits.