Rugby-playing Gulf War soldier jailed for £44k disability fraud

Ian Fyfe had an “exemplary” service record in the RAF Regiment, the RAF’s infantry wing, carrying out tours of duty in Northern Ireland and in Iraq during the first Gulf War.

He was severely injured in a Land Rover crash but continued to serve on light duties for several years before being medically discharged in 1997.

He was awarded benefits by the MoD but repeatedly appealed to have his level of disability increased.

Fyfe claimed he had been rendered “crippled” by the accident, eventually having his level of disability increased from 30 per cent to 60 per cent.

He claimed it took him up to half an hour to get out of bed in the morning, that he couldn’t walk more than 50 metres at a time and that he was in constant pain.

But in 2009 MoD officials received an anonymous tip-off telling them Fyfe was turning out regularly for the local Panmure RFC rugby team.

He was spotted in a team photo – as well as being repeatedly mentioned in match reports on the side’s games.

The case was turned over to Tayside Police, who carried out an undercover surveillance operation on Fyfe.

Fiscal depute Paul Miele told Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday: “He was observed undertaking activities not commensurate with his supposed level of disability. He was seen stretching as if preparing for or returning from a run.

“He was also seen walking unaided and loading and unloading heavy and bulky items from a car.

“Investigations found that his home had not been altered in any way for his disabilities as had been claimed.

“Police attended at his home where he said ‘I know what this is about – I’ve been stupid’.”

Fyfe, 48, of Turnberry Avenue, Dundee, pleaded guilty to obtaining £44,581.67 from the MoD by fraud.

John Boyle, defending, said Fyfe was “embarrassed” by his actions.

He said: “He suffered a traumatic accident injury at the age of 24, suffering serious spinal injuries.

“In 2007 his health improved to such an extent that he behaved in the way he did. He’s very apologetic for this offence and is embarrassed about the position he has put himself in.

“He took up employment as a bus driver and intends to pay the money back.”

Sheriff Derek O’Carroll jailed Fyfe for a year, and said: “Your service to this country is very much to your credit. However, you have pled guilty to a fraud of a considerable amount of money.

“After the considerable efforts that you made to obtain and increase those benefits you must have known that when your health improved – quite remarkably, it seems – that you could not be entitled to these benefits.

“The improvement was not marginal – you were fit and well to the extend that you could play rugby on a regular basis.

“This fraud was blatant and sustained.”