Woman who claimed £500k for being paralyzed caught dancing to Micheal Jackson's song

A woman jailed for falsely claiming £500,000 in disability benefits was caught on video dancing to Michael Jackson.

Maribel Milligan claimed she could only use one arm and was paralyzed down the entire left-hand side of her body. But she was seen raising her arms in the air and clapping to Jackson's famous hit, Bad.

A court heard despite claiming hardship, she also had homes dotted around the country - including pads in her native Venezuela.

Teesside Crown Court heard the 53-year-old lived a “lavish” lifestyle, with pictures showing her outside the Eiffel Tower and dancing at a glittering wedding ceremony.

Milligan, who illegally claimed seven different types of benefit, was also caught splashing in the sea and riding a bike.

Via video link, Judge Howard Crowson said:

“It was quite incredible to see you stepping swiftly from a chair and dancing with your husband.You portrayed yourself at the trial as the victim - a person wronged.”

A judge has now jailed Milligan for three years after a jury found she had illegally pocketed over £539,000 during her 111-year ruse.

She sat in a wheelchair for sentencing after a GP wrote a letter claiming she did have some health problems..In total, Milligan creamed off £539,907.43 from 2002 by claiming hardship and severe disability.

[Daily Mirror]