RNLI Bravery Award Winner Was DLA Fraud
A man has been prosecuted for claiming disability benefits while working as a member of a North Sea lifeboat crew.
Mason Bentley, 34, of Thornton-le-Dale, Pickering, was a member of Flamborough Lifeboat team between 2006 and 2009.
He received a top RNLI bravery award for rescuing a swimmer in bad weather, Bridlington magistrates heard.
But Bentley admitted he was claiming Disability Living Allowance at the same time. On Friday, he was ordered to pay back false benefit claims of £9,900.
Magistrates also gave him a six-month tagging order and ordered him to pay costs of £70.
‘Dreadful conditions’
Bentley, also known as Alistair Docherty, formerly of Ogle Road, Flamborough, pleaded guilty on 3 September to failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting his entitlement to benefits.
He admitted claiming disability living allowance between 6 December 2006 and 14 April 2009.
In 2008, he was among a three-man crew which was given the RNLI’s top award for the most daring rescue of the year.
The mission on 22 August 2007 involved rescuing a swimmer in “dreadful conditions” close to rocks off Flamborough Head.
Commenting on the conviction, an RNLI spokesman said: “Alistair Docherty, as he was known to the RNLI, was a volunteer crew member at Flamborough for only a year and we have had no contact with him for two years.
“The RNLI co-operated fully with the Department for Work and Pensions to help with them with their investigation.”
Same Difference 
Good grief! Disgraceful.
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I also saw this story on the Independent newspapers website, and someone, claiming to be Mr Bentley has replied there. The link, should people want to see what he has to say, is here http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/lifeboat-hero-was-falsely-claiming-disability-benefits-2076424.html
You will need to scroll down to the comments at the bottom
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