A 59-YEAR-OLD man helped a woman to the top viewing point of Mount Snowdon despite claiming he was disabled.

Francis Sissons, of Rowland Close, Fearnhead, unlawfully claimed £12,975 of disabled living allowance between October 2001 and 2007, Warrington Crown Court heard on Friday.

Kevin Slack, prosecuting, said the defendant suffered two heart attacks in 1995. He said to begin with the request was legitimate as his level of disability was high, with Sissons claiming to take three minutes to walk 100 yards.

Mr Slack said: “He said he would fall over two or three times per week and most times he would need someone with him and found it difficult to go out by himself.”

By October 1 the defendant had made significant improvements and was working as a volunteer at Park House, Sailsbury Street, helping people with mental health problems.

The court heard that by the end of 2001 he was regularly walking just under one mile to work in less than 15 minutes.

In 2004 he became a paid employee at the centre.

Mr Slack added that in 2006 he was seen pushing his partner in a wheelchair to an off-licence.

Jonathan Clarke, defending Sissons, said the outcome of the charge had been hanging over his client since it came to light in 2007. He asked for a community order to be considered.

Sissons pleaded guilty in the week his trial was due to start.

Judge Nicholas Woodward sentenced Sissons to 270 hours of unpaid work and to pay £500 of prosecution costs for failing to notify authorities about a change in his circumstances.