0:00:03 > 0:00:05He's carrying fishing rods on his back.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Yeah, I've got him taped.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10There's absolutely nothing wrong with him, is there?
0:00:10 > 0:00:11Nope.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17He's fit and well, but claiming disability.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21Benefit fraud costs the British taxpayer £1.6 billion a year.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25My name is Richard Bilton and I've spent the last five years
0:00:25 > 0:00:28following benefit fraud investigators...
0:00:30 > 0:00:31- WOMAN:- Ooh.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33..and the suspects they're after.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38It's disgusting. Treating us like that, I'll never, ever forgive them.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40In this episode...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42..or the door's going to get forced.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46..hunting a gang suspected of claiming benefits here
0:00:46 > 0:00:47to fund lives abroad...
0:00:47 > 0:00:50'We're about to catch criminals.'
0:00:50 > 0:00:52I love it. Absolutely love it.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57..a suspect goes to extreme lengths to escape justice.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01I suppose it seems as if... she's beaten me.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05..and an ex-serviceman fights for his honour.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10I've been with this man 41 years and I know he's not dishonest.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13That's one place I thought I'd never go - prison.
0:01:16 > 0:01:23This programme contains some strong language.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29There was one time where he did look up at the camera
0:01:29 > 0:01:32and he stared at it for a few seconds.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35And you could just imagine what he was thinking.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37"Are you watching me?
0:01:37 > 0:01:38"Are you watching me?"
0:01:39 > 0:01:42The answer to that question, Mr Malam, is...
0:01:42 > 0:01:45hell, yeah, we are watching you.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Stoke investigator Burhan Khan is on the biggest case of his career.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53His target is suspected of running a benefit scam
0:01:53 > 0:01:58that could be costing the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01This is the CCTV for Stoke-on-Trent Council.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04We've zoomed in on the property in question
0:02:04 > 0:02:07to view the movements of our claimant.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10For the past few months, Burhan,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13who works for the Department of Work and Pensions,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17has had this house under surveillance 24 hours a day.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19He's been waiting for the owner to return.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23Out of the blue, about five days ago,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27I get a text message saying his vehicle has been seen
0:02:27 > 0:02:29outside the property. He has returned.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34This is the man he's been waiting for - Anthony Malam.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36He's quite comfortable thinking,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40"I'm getting away with this. I can expand my empire."
0:02:40 > 0:02:44Thinking of more ways to make money and defraud the government.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Malam says he's unemployed and in poor health.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53He's claiming six different benefits from the state.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56But Burhan believes Malam is using his benefits
0:02:56 > 0:02:59to fund another life abroad, in the Philippines.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04How fantastic would it be if you could live in a foreign country
0:03:04 > 0:03:06of your choice and get paid money?
0:03:07 > 0:03:10And get paid money for living in a foreign country.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13I think that's everybody's dream, that is.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18But, no, people that are working in this country, paying their taxes,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21for them to do that? No chance.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22That is not right.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Burhan thinks there could be more to this case.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31He believes Malam has a secret identity.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37He's using it to hide the fact that he owns this house.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41He and three of his friends are claiming housing benefit
0:03:41 > 0:03:43to live here that they're not entitled to.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50It's quite a sophisticated fraud, this is.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52It's not something that's just happened,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56it does look as though it's been thought about and planned.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Burhan suspects Malam owns other properties
0:03:59 > 0:04:03and could be claiming benefits for these as well.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06He's had him under surveillance for the past five days,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09but his big case is in danger of unravelling.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18This footage was taken yesterday afternoon.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21As you can see, our claimant has come out with bags in his hands.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Helps his friend, who we believe to be another claimant.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29And off he goes.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33It's the last time we saw him driving away from the property,
0:04:33 > 0:04:34yesterday afternoon.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37And that was it.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Don't know where he's gone, when he's coming back.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45And that's put the whole investigation on hold.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48He's worried Malam may have returned to the Philippines.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50God, this sucks.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01In Croydon, investigators are working
0:05:01 > 0:05:04on the toughest case they've ever had to deal with.
0:05:08 > 0:05:09- Hi, how are you doing? - Are you all right?
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- Good to see you again. - Welcome to our new building.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Yeah, very smart. Very swish.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17'Council investigator Andrea Cordrey
0:05:17 > 0:05:19'has already been working on this for years.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22'It's putting Andrea and her colleague Zoe Neal
0:05:22 > 0:05:24'under enormous pressure.'
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- ..we meet again.- Hello, we meet again.- You all right?
0:05:29 > 0:05:32It just feels like we're opening up Pandora's box.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Their problems relate to a case we've been following since 2012.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Their target, Angel Jackson,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44was suspected of using false identity to steal housing benefit.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46This is just not me.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49A search of her home revealed a complex web
0:05:49 > 0:05:54of fraud involving multiple identities and huge sums of cash.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56£22,000.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59I don't know where this money's coming from.
0:06:02 > 0:06:03Angel didn't come quietly.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08She denied all knowledge of the crime.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12She told investigators she'd had a stroke.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18This is just pure drama.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Oscar-winning performance.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22They thought Angel was about to go on the run,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24so she was remanded in custody.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Three years on, and they're still trying to get this case to court.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Where are we now then? What's the latest?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- It's a bit stressful at this time. - Right.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36After a few months of being on remand,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40we got a phone call from the prison informing us that she had a stroke.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44She's paralysed down one side of the body,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46she can't talk properly,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48she's in a wheelchair...
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- She's on a lot of medication. - She's on a lot of medication.
0:06:51 > 0:06:52- So...- We've got some issues.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57And we could be accused of harassing this sick, disabled woman.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03Angel has been released from prison on medical grounds and her case
0:07:03 > 0:07:06has been adjourned until the court can determine
0:07:06 > 0:07:07if she's fit to stand trial.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12There's been a number of hearings at court.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14She hasn't turned up to any of them.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17The judge has said a number of times that she must attend
0:07:17 > 0:07:20the next hearing, or else...
0:07:20 > 0:07:22but then she doesn't attend!
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Sometimes, she has a hospital appointment,
0:07:26 > 0:07:28or she's rushed into hospital on the very day
0:07:28 > 0:07:30that she's supposed to be in court.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32We've gone round in a big circle, really.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35She's not attending because she's sick,
0:07:35 > 0:07:37but she's not producing enough good evidence to say
0:07:37 > 0:07:40to the court exactly how and why she's sick.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43What are your gut feelings about whether this is true
0:07:43 > 0:07:46and a genuine condition or whether it's another scam?
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Gut feeling is she's faking it.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- I'm with you there.- Yeah. - I'm with you there.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55We've come across documents to which she has said
0:07:55 > 0:07:57she's had a stroke previously.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- Right.- And when we've checked with the doctor,
0:07:59 > 0:08:00they have no record of this.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04She's... She's a very, very, very clever person.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08The council doesn't have enough people
0:08:08 > 0:08:10to put Angel under surveillance,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13but they found an opportunity to take a closer look
0:08:13 > 0:08:15at how she's living.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19So, this afternoon, we're going to go and see
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Angel Duffy, Angel Jackson, whoever she is,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24and serve her with some papers.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29Zoe needs to tell Angel that the council intends to keep hold
0:08:29 > 0:08:33of £22,000 found in her flat during her arrest.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35This is where she's supposed to be.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38She maintains she's too ill, basically, to leave the property.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42She's tried to make some fresh claims of benefit from here,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45and she has been asking for various care packages from this address,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47and she says she has live-in carers.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Wouldn't it be good if she came hopping out of the flat
0:08:50 > 0:08:52and went into that taxi car?
0:08:54 > 0:08:55Ooh. No, that's not her.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- AUTOMATED VOICE:- Going up. - Bit nervous. Bit apprehensive.
0:09:06 > 0:09:07You never quite know what you're walking into.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10SHE KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Who is it?
0:09:12 > 0:09:14My name's Zoe Neal, London Borough of Croydon.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Who did you say you are?
0:09:16 > 0:09:17ZOE CLEARS HER THROAT
0:09:17 > 0:09:18Hello. I need to talk to Angel Jackson.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- Sorry?- Angel Jackson.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- Yeah, who is this?- My name's Zoe Neal, London Borough of Croydon.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Hello. You remember me? Yes. Hello.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- Do you remember the cash I seized from your property?- Yeah...
0:09:31 > 0:09:35OK. This paperwork is about that cash.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37If I give that paperwork to you?
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Your carer. Have you got a carer with you now?
0:09:41 > 0:09:42- She's not here. - She's not here now?
0:09:42 > 0:09:45So who's your carer? What's your carer's name?
0:09:45 > 0:09:46Pardon?
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Ati? And what's her surname?
0:09:50 > 0:09:52OK, so you don't know her surname.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54And where did you get the carer from?
0:09:56 > 0:09:57OK. So which church is that?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- OK.- Or you'll come here with cameras and just...
0:10:03 > 0:10:05OK, right, bye.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Did you hear how her voice changed when she knew it was me at the door?
0:10:14 > 0:10:16I think people think that we give up.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18And they don't realise we just keep going.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21If there's informational evidence, we will find it.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25It might take time, but we'll get there in the end.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Because that's what we're paid to do.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37Come on.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Proving that someone's faking disability
0:10:40 > 0:10:41to claim benefit is hard,
0:10:41 > 0:10:46and Gordon Mabon is well-versed in the tricks of the trade.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54About 25 years ago, I was just on the beach,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57threw a Frisbee and I dived for the Frisbee,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00and the way I fell, I just felt my back go.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02I just slipped a disc. All it was was a simple slipped disc.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07His experience has given him real insight
0:11:07 > 0:11:10into the life of those living with permanent disability.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12The pain was intolerable,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15I couldn't walk 15, 20 metres.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Gordon is also an ex-serviceman
0:11:18 > 0:11:21and he carries the scars from that experience, too.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24While he was in the Navy,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27he damaged his hearing and developed skin cancer.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33He gets a disability pension for that from the Ministry of Defence.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Any gardener will tell you there's nothing better
0:11:36 > 0:11:38than digging up your own potatoes.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I shouldn't be doing this with a bad back, should I?
0:11:42 > 0:11:45We as a country have a lot to be proud of.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48As a society, we look after the weak and vulnerable.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50For all that he's been through,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Gordon doesn't let his disability hamper his life.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55He's put his experience to good use,
0:11:55 > 0:11:59because today he works as a benefit fraud investigator.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04When people learn that I'm a benefit fraud investigator,
0:12:04 > 0:12:05they say one of two things.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Some people go, "Oh, yes, my neighbour..."
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Or they will say, "Oh...", backing off straight away.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13"Won't talk to you, I'll keep quiet."
0:12:13 > 0:12:17He's been an investigator for more than ten years
0:12:17 > 0:12:22and specialises in cases involving disability benefits.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24I'm more passionate about them because obviously
0:12:24 > 0:12:27my health is restricted a little bit,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29perhaps no worse than these people are,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32yet they see fit to claim benefits they are not entitled to.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38One case he's particularly passionate about
0:12:38 > 0:12:40involves another ex-serviceman.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48HE LAUGHS
0:12:48 > 0:12:51David Sutherland has a proud record of serving Queen and country.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55He's a former soldier who was injured in the line of duty.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Maureen does all the ornaments in the garden, typical woman's touch.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04It's brightens it up, though, doesn't it?
0:13:06 > 0:13:09David has been married to Maureen for nearly 40 years.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15I met him just after he came back from Ireland.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20We went into the local pub where all the soldiers went.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23And, erm, they all thought we were the strippers.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28So I thought I would buy her a drink.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33That was a good way to get free drinks.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42The couple planned a comfortable retirement,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46but then David was accused of disability benefit fraud.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48In our lifetime we never, ever thought
0:13:48 > 0:13:51we would experience something like this.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- I have lost all faith with the justice system...- Yeah.
0:13:54 > 0:13:55..what's happened to us.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00David's problems stem with a horrific incident
0:14:00 > 0:14:02he was involved in over 40 years ago.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07The attackers chose their target with considerable care
0:14:07 > 0:14:08and with considerable timing.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12They had loaded their bomb into a van.
0:14:12 > 0:14:18In 1973, the IRA detonated a bomb outside his barracks in Belfast.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23People walking around with clothing on fire, you know?
0:14:23 > 0:14:24There was blood everywhere.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27And...
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Two colleagues and a civilian were killed, 30 were injured.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41David never fully recovered.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44He was medically discharged from the Army 20 years later,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46still suffering from his injuries.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50When I came out, the Army said,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53"We have accepted post-traumatic stress disorder,
0:14:53 > 0:14:55"blast injury to both ears.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00"renal calyx, left anterior knee pain syndrome."
0:15:00 > 0:15:03And it's things that will never go away, I have these things for life.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08When I came out of the Army, it was all doom and gloom.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Nobody wanted to know you if you had post-traumatic stress disorder.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Because they associate post-traumatic stress disorder
0:15:16 > 0:15:20with somebody who hasn't got all his faculties about him.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22As well as his Army pension,
0:15:22 > 0:15:26David got an extra benefit because his injuries meant he couldn't work.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29But he soon found a job as a police driver.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32I will always be grateful to them because they gave me a life back.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38But David didn't tell the Army that he was working.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40He's now been accused of fraud, by the Army
0:15:40 > 0:15:44and the Department of Work and Pensions.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46David Sutherland could be your next-door neighbour.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48He could be anyone you know, could be a family member.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50You wouldn't think when you looked at him
0:15:50 > 0:15:52that he would be a benefit cheat.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54You look at the level of benefit abuse he committed
0:15:54 > 0:15:56over a number of years, you'd be shocked.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Are we going to be forcing entry straight away?
0:16:08 > 0:16:11In Stoke, it's the moment Burhan has been waiting for.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13We are about to catch criminals.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16I love it, absolutely love it.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Anthony Malam, the man at the centre of his big investigation,
0:16:20 > 0:16:21has returned.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28We will go round to the property, smash the door down,
0:16:28 > 0:16:29make loads of noise...
0:16:31 > 0:16:33..arrest. Yeah.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Police, can you open the door, please?
0:16:40 > 0:16:42The police need to get in quickly
0:16:42 > 0:16:45so Malam can't destroy any evidence in the house.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- Sir, the door is going to get forced.- Yes, yes.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59I wish they'd smashed the door down.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00BURHAN LAUGHS
0:17:02 > 0:17:06Malam is taken into custody and the search of the house begins.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10They are looking for proof that Malam and his friends live abroad.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14They are also searching for any evidence of his false identity.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Here we have three passports.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Two of them are quite old.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23For Mr Malam.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Oh, my God, he's got loads of stamps in there.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Thailand, Philippines...
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Two passports prove he is well-travelled,
0:17:32 > 0:17:36the third is Australian and it belongs to someone else.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40It was found with 400 passport photos.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42We don't know who this gentleman is.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44We definitely need to make further enquiries on that.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48See if this has been used for fraudulent purposes.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Let's see.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56They also find evidence that may link Malam to a much bigger fraud.
0:17:58 > 0:18:04Just found a list of 40, 45 properties.
0:18:04 > 0:18:05They've got different codes next to them -
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Upper Normacot Road, Uttoxeter Road.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Jesus. The list goes on. This is very important.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15They suspect Malam may have dozens of properties
0:18:15 > 0:18:18and could be using them for benefit fraud.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20And this list could help track them down.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27They now have less than 24 hours to question Malam.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32They begin by asking him about his secret identity - Alan Johnson.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46But Malam had already told the council that he'd signed
0:18:46 > 0:18:48a tenancy agreement with Alan Johnson.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07That is true, he's describing himself.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Despite this enormous admission,
0:19:31 > 0:19:36Malam refuses to explain anything further, and he's released on bail.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39There's so many questions.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44This is such a strange set-up they've got.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Things just don't make sense.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Croydon investigator Andrea has hit another hurdle
0:19:59 > 0:20:02in the Angel Jackson case.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07There's been another delay with bringing this matter to court.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11There was a hearing that Miss Jackson was supposed to appear
0:20:11 > 0:20:14with her solicitors so that we can get a date
0:20:14 > 0:20:17of when they will submit all their papers.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22However, this hasn't happened, yet again another delay.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27Angel Jackson was reported to have had a stroke while in custody.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30She was released, and it's caused lengthy legal delays
0:20:30 > 0:20:33which threaten the case ever coming to court.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38She's changed legal teams again.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42They haven't had the opportunity to meet with her.
0:20:42 > 0:20:43I'm really worried at this stage.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47The last time an investigator called,
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Angel was claiming to be housebound and unable to walk.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Andrea is on her way to the building where Angel lives
0:20:59 > 0:21:02to see if she can find out what's going on.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08I've got to ensure she doesn't see me at all.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Because this could just jeopardise everything, really.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18There is no sign of Angel,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21and Andrea is able to work uninterrupted.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27She's been told about a section of CCTV of particular interest.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30It's got the time as well on the side.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33It shows a woman walking through the car park.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35A hat is covering her face.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42The same woman, wearing the same hat, can be seen using the gym.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Andrea thinks she looks familiar.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Wow.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52This was fantastic.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55I can say to her because I know who she is.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59And the famous tracksuit, I recognised it.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02The way she walked, it's so her. This is brilliant.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08I feel more relaxed about this case
0:22:08 > 0:22:10than I have done for a very long time.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15I finally feel like...
0:22:15 > 0:22:16we are back in control.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Andrea thinks Angel has been using the car park
0:22:21 > 0:22:24rather than the front entrance to avoid being seen.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27That's the door she comes out of.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30And then...
0:22:31 > 0:22:34..she walks around and comes up the ramp.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Through that way.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42I will take the evidence we now have to our legal team,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46who will present it in the front of the judge, before the judge,
0:22:46 > 0:22:48and see where it takes us.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52I think that her luck has just changed.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03DOG BARKS
0:23:05 > 0:23:10Ex-servicemen David Sutherland is fighting to save his good name
0:23:10 > 0:23:13after being accused of benefit fraud.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15This thing has totally ruined our lives. Totally.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18It's totally unfair.
0:23:18 > 0:23:19He was getting money from the Army
0:23:19 > 0:23:22as a result of injuries he sustained in a bomb blast,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26but HE says things started to go wrong after he found a job
0:23:26 > 0:23:28as a police driver.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30I maintained all the vehicles,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32I made sure the station was up and running.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37I thought I was getting myself up and about again,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39making a life for myself.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43I was still receiving unemployability supplement,
0:23:43 > 0:23:44but what I didn't realise,
0:23:44 > 0:23:50with that supplement you were only allowed to work 16 hours a week.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53David Sullivan was an upstanding member of society.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55He served his country proudly.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56He experienced a bomb blast,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59which we can't even imagine what he went through.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02However, what he did afterwards is, I find, unacceptable.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07The man determined to bring David to justice, Gordon Mabon,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09is also an ex-servicemen.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12I saw parallels between me and him in many ways.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15The fact that we both left the armed forces,
0:24:15 > 0:24:17we both had the support from the armed forces when we needed it.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21But that's where the parallel ends.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Gordon started investigating David after a tip-off.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26He noted he was receiving
0:24:26 > 0:24:29an unemployability supplement AND working.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Hiya, Clive, just Gordon again from the Jobcentre...
0:24:31 > 0:24:34He told the Army, who stopped David's payments
0:24:34 > 0:24:36and started their own investigation.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41They said I knowingly knew that I was working 16 hours,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45over 16 hours a week. I didn't knowingly know.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50He was told before he left the Army he could work on a war pension.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53They drummed into me that the most important thing
0:24:53 > 0:24:58for me to do when I get out of hospital is to work and stay active.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Gordon has found the Army benefit isn't the only thing
0:25:02 > 0:25:08David has been claiming. He was also getting Disability Living Allowance.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12On this claim form, it describes his condition as being the following.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15He says, "I need crutches due to paralysis down my left side,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18"I can only walk 100 metres in 15 minutes,
0:25:18 > 0:25:20"and that is seven days a week."
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Now, this is a picture of a man who does really
0:25:22 > 0:25:24seem to be incapacitated.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27David started this claim after he had
0:25:27 > 0:25:29a serious car accident that forced him
0:25:29 > 0:25:31to leave his job as a police driver.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35I've got the letter from the surgeon.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39"Mr Sutherland was involved in a serious road traffic accident
0:25:39 > 0:25:42"on Friday the 6th of the 9th, '96.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46"And in my opinion, he will be wheelchair-bound
0:25:46 > 0:25:50"and with no prospect of future employment."
0:25:50 > 0:25:53In his opinion, I'd never walk again,
0:25:53 > 0:25:55and I wasn't having that.
0:25:57 > 0:26:03David was determined to walk again and started an exercise regime.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06I've looked online, there's a good one from America.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08What these guys do, they rig up certain things
0:26:08 > 0:26:11to strengthen up the body and all that.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13It strengthens up the left-hand side.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20Obviously with this hand, I don't feel anything because it's strong,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23but here, I really get a benefit from doing this.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28I've got that bench over the side here.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32I do that, that is to strengthen my leg up.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34I put it here because Maureen wanted it out of the way
0:26:34 > 0:26:35because you guys were coming.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37I normally have it here. I do what I'm told.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39THEY CHUCKLE
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Over time, David says his mobility improved.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45I set a goal for myself.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51And I said, when I can reach 2km, that's it,
0:26:51 > 0:26:53I don't want this Disability Living Allowance.
0:26:53 > 0:27:00You know? It took me over nine years of sheer determination.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02And when I reached that goal,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04I actually wrote a letter saying
0:27:04 > 0:27:08I no longer required Disability Living Allowance.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11"I've reached my goal, thank you very much."
0:27:11 > 0:27:15I definitely wrote that letter, and I definitely posted it.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17- I- posted it.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21- Sorry?- I- posted it.- You posted it.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24I got no reply, so as far as I was concerned,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27I had no reply, everything is OK.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Gordon says the DWP never got that letter.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35He also says he has evidence that David
0:27:35 > 0:27:39was fully fit eight years before he claims he sent it.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Here is a college on the right-hand side here
0:27:42 > 0:27:45where David Sutherland was the caretaker.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48His responsibility was this whole building.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51So he would come down here, work a whole day, 12 to 14 hours,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55three days a week. This is the application form here
0:27:55 > 0:27:57for his job that he's applying for.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Do you consider yourself to have a disability?
0:28:00 > 0:28:03He's ticked no. Further on in the application,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05and they ask him why he left that position.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08He put RTA, which is the road traffic accident.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10And he had now said, "Now fully fit."
0:28:12 > 0:28:14This was in 2005.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Gordon had enough evidence to interview David
0:28:17 > 0:28:18under caution for fraud.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20'Right, what I'm showing you now, David,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23'is your application form for Darlington College.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25'I wasn't fully fit, but I put "fully fit"
0:28:25 > 0:28:26'because I wanted the job.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29'The sequences of events, it makes me feel like a criminal,
0:28:29 > 0:28:32'but I'm not a criminal, I'm a good person.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34'I deliberately...
0:28:34 > 0:28:37'made myself the way I am now instead of staying at home,
0:28:37 > 0:28:39'sitting in a wheelchair.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41'You know yourself, you had to notify us when there
0:28:41 > 0:28:44- 'is an improvement in your condition.- And I apologise.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46'And you haven't notified us at the right time.'
0:28:46 > 0:28:48I said, yeah, I will take my punishment
0:28:48 > 0:28:50like a man, hold my hands up.
0:28:51 > 0:28:56That admission left David facing charges of stealing £140,000
0:28:56 > 0:28:59over a period of 30 years.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02If he can't convince the court he made a mistake,
0:29:02 > 0:29:03he could be going to jail.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14In Stoke, Burhan's investigation into Anthony Malam
0:29:14 > 0:29:18has moved forward after a police raid.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21One of the things we seized from the property
0:29:21 > 0:29:24was an e-mail.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26It confirms he was living abroad
0:29:26 > 0:29:29and gives an insight into his life in the Philippines.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33It kind of describes the sort of person Mr Malam is,
0:29:33 > 0:29:35sort of people he's involved with.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37"We have considered your future in Angeles
0:29:37 > 0:29:39"and for the moment you are safe.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42"We will not hurt you, just as long as you behave yourself.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45"We already fucked Fegredo up when he went to the UK.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47"Be very careful, or else."
0:29:48 > 0:29:52Now... "PS - we know about your scam in the UK.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55"Our friend is going to fuck you over.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58"You live on government hand-outs, you thieving bastard.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00"Your time is up. You will be forced to repay
0:30:00 > 0:30:03"what you have stolen from the Brit government.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05"Arsehole."
0:30:05 > 0:30:07And to be fair, that's quite a decent e-mail
0:30:07 > 0:30:10because they're actually acknowledging the fact
0:30:10 > 0:30:14that what he's doing is wrong, and he shouldn't be doing it.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18So far, he thinks he's linked Malam and three others who live
0:30:18 > 0:30:21in the Philippines to false benefit claims
0:30:21 > 0:30:23totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26It's the biggest case of his career,
0:30:26 > 0:30:29and he thinks it might be about to get bigger.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38We could do with having a team of about eight investigators
0:30:38 > 0:30:39on this case.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44- Dream on.- Yeah.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47They found a list of 45 addresses in Malam's house.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51Burhan thinks they may lead to other properties Malam owns,
0:30:51 > 0:30:54which he may be using to commit even more fraud.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56'We are going to do some door knocking
0:30:56 > 0:30:57'on some of these properties,
0:30:57 > 0:31:00'show them some photographs of Mr Malam
0:31:00 > 0:31:03'and see if they are recognised at all.'
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- Morning.- Do you know who the landlord is?
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Can you describe him?
0:31:08 > 0:31:11- You don't recognise any of them at all?- No.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15- Right, that's definitely not Malam. - No.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19Their investigation reveals that Malam DID own the properties,
0:31:19 > 0:31:22but he legitimately sold them ten years ago.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25That...is what you call a dead-end.
0:31:25 > 0:31:26Yeah.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Shit. We are due a break, though, ain't we?
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- Doesn't crack itself, Burhan. - Ah, you're right there.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47They now turn their attention to the mysterious passport photos
0:31:47 > 0:31:50and bank cards found in Malam's house.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52The man they belong to is now dead.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55They think he was one of Malam's accomplices
0:31:55 > 0:31:58claiming benefits here to fund a life abroad.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02But those benefits continued to be paid into his account
0:32:02 > 0:32:04after his death.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09Right, these are the bank forms for Mr Baker.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13You can see the benefits still going in, pension credit still being paid.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16On the same day there's a withdrawal of £100.
0:32:16 > 0:32:21And up until the day that we arrested Mr Malam,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24he was still using Mr Baker's bank account.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Phone records show Malam even called the council
0:32:27 > 0:32:30pretending his friend was still alive
0:32:30 > 0:32:32so they would keep paying his benefits.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34Nothing surprises me in this case now.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42It's quite clear that Malam is trying to
0:32:42 > 0:32:46defraud the Government at any length.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50They decide to bring Malam in for a second interview.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22Malam is not talking,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25but there are signs that Burhan's investigation
0:33:25 > 0:33:27is beginning to rattle him.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30Malam's solicitor has been in contact.
0:33:30 > 0:33:36And Malam is willing to pay back over £160,000.
0:33:36 > 0:33:41Quite strange that he is willing to pay all that money back.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44We all believe he is trying to cover something up.
0:33:45 > 0:33:50There's something else going on that he does not want us to know about.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54By doing this, he thinks that he can get us off his back.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59But unfortunately, it doesn't actually work that way.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10In Croydon, Andrea is hoping for a breakthrough
0:34:10 > 0:34:13in her two-year investigation into Angel Jackson.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17Hi, Fran, Andrea here. Just to let you know, she's here.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20It's been 16 months since she claimed
0:34:20 > 0:34:24to have had a stroke while on remand for benefit fraud.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28It's thrown the council's case against her into disarray.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33This is the first time she's appeared in court since 2013.
0:34:35 > 0:34:36It's good to see her.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39I'm so used to coming to court now for this case
0:34:39 > 0:34:41and she's never appeared.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Angel claims to be too ill to go to court.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51But Andrea has found footage suggesting she is fit and well.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57The council's barrister, Francesca Levett,
0:34:57 > 0:34:59has been reviewing the new evidence.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04She's clearly fit and able, well enough to go to the gym.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06But she's here in a wheelchair today,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09so I'm minded to bring up the question of withdrawing bail.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11- Right.- What she's displayed so far
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- is obviously obstructing the course of justice.- Yes.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17There have now been 18 court hearings
0:35:17 > 0:35:20to try and get proof of her disabilities.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22She failed to appear at any of them.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27The council now wants her held on remand to stop her from
0:35:27 > 0:35:28wasting the court's time.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33But Angel has no defence team - she fired them.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37The judge has to let her go,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41she's got four months to get a new team and provide proof
0:35:41 > 0:35:42of her disabilities.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46The judge was very fair but firm
0:35:46 > 0:35:49about the amount of delays that has been caused.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53And hopefully we can get this matter concluded
0:35:53 > 0:35:56sooner rather than later.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04But over the next year and a half,
0:36:04 > 0:36:08Angel continues to find countless ways to frustrate the court.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12She's now had a memory loss.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15She has no memory of who her solicitors are,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17or who the prosecution are,
0:36:17 > 0:36:20or why we want to speak to her in any case.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Unfortunately, she's withdrawn her consent
0:36:27 > 0:36:29to allow access to her medical records.
0:36:33 > 0:36:34Something to do.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45She's clearly worked out that if she dismisses her legal team,
0:36:45 > 0:36:47that that means she can derail the process again.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55- She is relentless, she doesn't stop. - No.
0:36:57 > 0:36:58It's shocking.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01I've never experienced anything like this before.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07The delays are starting to undermine the case.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11- You are back to your new job now? - Started my new job.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13- LAUGHING:- Different office, same story.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15Cases, cases.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18I am looking forward to having no more sleepless nights
0:37:18 > 0:37:19over Angel Jackson.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24I'm quite happy to hand it over to you now, Graham!
0:37:24 > 0:37:27- Thanks, Andrea.- OK.- See you.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30Andrea is being transferred to a new job as an investigator
0:37:30 > 0:37:32at a government department.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35I suppose...
0:37:35 > 0:37:39it seems as if she's beaten me.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41But you know what, the case doesn't belong to me,
0:37:41 > 0:37:43the case belongs to the council.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50But the case is now putting Andrea's boss, David Hogan, under pressure.
0:37:50 > 0:37:51This is unprecedented.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53We've never had a case this big,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55this significant, that we've undertaken,
0:37:55 > 0:37:57where we've lost a lead officer.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00So really, I'm going to have to look at how we pick up the pieces.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03And that's not the only problem the team faces.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07We risk losing witnesses, you know,
0:38:07 > 0:38:10key people that can give key evidence in this case.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15We risk our costs escalating to a point
0:38:15 > 0:38:18where we consider whether we can
0:38:18 > 0:38:21afford them, whether it is still in the public interest
0:38:21 > 0:38:23to continue. The risks are considerable.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37There's a story behind that.
0:38:37 > 0:38:38A Turkish bloke gave it to me.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42He says, "If you put this in your garden and light the wick, you know,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45"for barbecues and that, it will give you good luck."
0:38:45 > 0:38:47It's given me nothing but bad luck!
0:38:47 > 0:38:50So I'm going to get a sledgehammer and smash it up.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Former soldier David Sutherland thinks
0:38:53 > 0:38:55he's had a pretty unlucky life.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57He was caught in an IRA bomb blast
0:38:57 > 0:39:00and involved in a serious car accident,
0:39:00 > 0:39:02and now faces five counts of
0:39:02 > 0:39:06fraudulently claiming disability allowances for his injuries.
0:39:06 > 0:39:13I've pleaded guilty to working for over 16 hours a week.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16With the DLA, I pleaded guilty to
0:39:16 > 0:39:21not informing them properly that I was, eh...
0:39:21 > 0:39:24up and running, I was able to work again.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Despite the guilty pleas, the couple remain defiant.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31As far as I was concerned,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34I was getting a war pension and I was allowed to work.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37He's not what they are saying he is.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41You know, he's not dishonest.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45But they are making him out to be dishonest, and he's not dishonest.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50I've been with this man 41 years and I know he's not dishonest.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53He made a mistake and, you know,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56they've made him suffer for his mistake.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00David insists he remains an honourable man
0:40:00 > 0:40:02and the Army still has a duty
0:40:02 > 0:40:07to provide support for his post-traumatic stress disorder.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09That's why he's fighting two of the charges.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15If I owe money, I expect to pay it back.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18But I don't expect to pay back the money
0:40:18 > 0:40:22that I've pleaded not guilty to, because...
0:40:22 > 0:40:27how can it be? It's post-traumatic stress disorder.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29You know, I won't budge on that.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33He could be facing up to five years in prison.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47I've got butterflies, to be honest.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49You really don't know what's going to happen.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51It's the day of the court case.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53I believe he is guilty.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Yes, he had this road traffic accident,
0:40:55 > 0:40:57but it wasn't just a road traffic accident,
0:40:57 > 0:41:00it was a road traffic accident whilst he was working,
0:41:00 > 0:41:02when he wasn't supposed to be working.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06I think, to be honest, it's just a ploy, if I can use that word,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09it's a ploy to get the overpayment, or the charges
0:41:09 > 0:41:12under £100,000, to reduce sentencing.
0:41:22 > 0:41:27After two days, the jury is sent out to consider its verdict.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29I don't know how it's going to go, it could go either way.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32I think I'm resigned to not guilty
0:41:32 > 0:41:37because I do believe his actions over the last few days
0:41:37 > 0:41:41would be convincing to a jury.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Because of the emotion, the emotion side of things
0:41:44 > 0:41:45in relation to his bomb blast,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47I think that may cloud the issue a little bit.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Majority verdict, mate.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Both counts, 10-2 - fantastic.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16I think the jury reached a fair verdict and I'm glad they've seen
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Mr Sutherland for what we saw him to be, and he was a complicit liar.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23They've released him on bail until the 20th, two weeks' time.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27I'm over the moon, I don't know if I can explain it any other way,
0:42:27 > 0:42:31but it is great. I am totally, totally buzzing, I really am.
0:42:31 > 0:42:32In a fortnight's time,
0:42:32 > 0:42:36David will come back to court to find out what will happen to him.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Burhan's investigation into his biggest ever case
0:42:42 > 0:42:44has come to a dramatic end.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Prepared statement of Anthony Malam.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51"I wish to admit criminal offences that I have committed
0:42:51 > 0:42:55"by changing my name from Anthony Malam to Alan Johnson."
0:42:56 > 0:42:59During a third interview, he provides a written account
0:42:59 > 0:43:01of the fraud.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05"In 2008, I lost the majority of my life savings
0:43:05 > 0:43:09"in a property development. This venture went wrong
0:43:09 > 0:43:14"as a result of an economic downturn and financial crisis at the time.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17"I accept I made a very foolish decision to try and recoup
0:43:17 > 0:43:19"some of the monies I'd lost,
0:43:19 > 0:43:22"by receiving rental income from various tenants,
0:43:22 > 0:43:26"in the name of Alan Johnson, that I was not entitled to.
0:43:26 > 0:43:30"I am thoroughly ashamed of my actions and totally remorseful."
0:43:33 > 0:43:36This confession and a lack of further evidence
0:43:36 > 0:43:39brings this investigation to an end.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43Malam is the only person charged.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46His associates are out of the authorities' reach.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49I mean, we tried very, very hard
0:43:49 > 0:43:53to get as much information as possible,
0:43:53 > 0:43:57to prove or disprove allegations we have.
0:43:58 > 0:44:02We've done a full and thorough investigation.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06Could more be done? Yes, more could be done.
0:44:08 > 0:44:11But you have to...
0:44:11 > 0:44:12put a stop on it somewhere.
0:44:14 > 0:44:22Malam pleads guilty to nine charges of fraud and pays back £96,000.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24A man who's been claiming benefits for years
0:44:24 > 0:44:27swiftly pays the entire amount.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30Six months later, he is summoned to court for sentencing.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34If he actually went to prison,
0:44:34 > 0:44:37I would be able to have closure on it.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40Yeah, for me, it would be closure.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42If he got suspended sentence, a massive fine,
0:44:42 > 0:44:44it would still leave it a little bit open.
0:44:46 > 0:44:50Because he's pleaded guilty and he has paid back £96,000,
0:44:50 > 0:44:53it could mean he won't be sent to jail.
0:44:58 > 0:45:00I can hear you, can you hear me?
0:45:00 > 0:45:02- 'Yes.'- Right, fantastic.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05OK, what do you think Malam got?
0:45:07 > 0:45:10'I don't know, I think he might have got a short custodial.'
0:45:10 > 0:45:12How long?
0:45:12 > 0:45:14- 'Six months?'- Six months.
0:45:14 > 0:45:15OK.
0:45:15 > 0:45:19He received...32 months custodial.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21COLLEAGUE LAUGHS
0:45:21 > 0:45:23Bloody hell.
0:45:23 > 0:45:27- Yeah.- Congratulations on you. - Yeah.- Well done to us.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29- OK, mate, I will speak to you later then.- No worries.
0:45:31 > 0:45:37An unexpected result, and it brings a two-year investigation to an end.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41I love doing what I'm doing and it just happens to be my job.
0:45:42 > 0:45:44But I'm doing it in my way.
0:45:44 > 0:45:48On this occasion, it has worked.
0:45:48 > 0:45:49And it's worked beautifully.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57This is a really key moment, and I have to say,
0:45:57 > 0:46:00I got up and I came to work today with a bit of a skip in my step.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02In Croydon, David Hogan and his team
0:46:02 > 0:46:04are preparing for something they were beginning
0:46:04 > 0:46:07to think would never happen -
0:46:07 > 0:46:08Angel's trial.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11Finally going to be going to court,
0:46:11 > 0:46:14and finally, hopefully, receiving justice for the taxpayer
0:46:14 > 0:46:17and for all of the victims in this case.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20Zoe Neal isn't quite so optimistic.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22I think she will run away.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24Which is what I would do if I was her.
0:46:27 > 0:46:33It's taken more than four years and 37 court hearings to get here.
0:46:33 > 0:46:37Angel has failed to provide any evidence of her disabilities.
0:46:37 > 0:46:40She now faces 31 counts of fraud.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44Is there anything else you need from me?
0:46:44 > 0:46:45Unless you've got eight hours' sleep
0:46:45 > 0:46:47- in your bag that you can give me? - No, no.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50'I have to say, I'm very pleased we are here.'
0:46:50 > 0:46:52If anything, just so I can clear my dining room
0:46:52 > 0:46:56of all of the lever-arch files I have at home on this case!
0:46:56 > 0:47:00Although Angel hasn't provided evidence she is unfit for trial,
0:47:00 > 0:47:02she is still claiming to be seriously ill.
0:47:02 > 0:47:06It's not my place to say whether she genuinely needs a wheelchair or not.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08So the court is giving every accommodation
0:47:08 > 0:47:10they can to make sure she's comfortable,
0:47:10 > 0:47:13that she is able to follow proceedings, and quite right too.
0:47:16 > 0:47:20The trial is expected to last for eight weeks, but ten days in,
0:47:20 > 0:47:24Angel is accused of undermining the case against her.
0:47:24 > 0:47:28We had a witness who was due to give evidence and she telephoned
0:47:28 > 0:47:31one of our investigating officers extremely upset,
0:47:31 > 0:47:32because her father had been
0:47:32 > 0:47:35approached by the defendant with two men,
0:47:35 > 0:47:38indicating that this particular witness
0:47:38 > 0:47:41was in trouble and that when she came to court
0:47:41 > 0:47:45she should not identify the defendant.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48It appears Angel is trying to intimidate witnesses.
0:47:51 > 0:47:53We are seriously concerned that other witnesses
0:47:53 > 0:47:55are going to be approached, and that's backed up
0:47:55 > 0:47:57to a certain extent by the fact that some of our
0:47:57 > 0:47:59civilian witnesses have registered
0:47:59 > 0:48:03a lack of interest in coming to court now.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07The alleged incident took place in a nearby pub.
0:48:07 > 0:48:11David Hogan is going there to see if it was caught on CCTV.
0:48:11 > 0:48:14This could actually turn this case.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17If we can show this level of contempt of court,
0:48:17 > 0:48:19what I'm really, really hoping
0:48:19 > 0:48:22is the court will cancel her bail and remand her.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33They are in luck - the pub has caught something on camera.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37Across to the right here, in a minute you will see...
0:48:37 > 0:48:42the shoulder bag, shopping bag.
0:48:42 > 0:48:44She is following.
0:48:45 > 0:48:49She goes over to the right here.
0:48:49 > 0:48:54- Yeah.- So she comes up, puts her hand on his shoulder.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56It's difficult to see her facially, isn't it?
0:48:56 > 0:49:00- Yeah.- She hangs around the bar for about 15 seconds.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02And then she goes back to her seat.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06It does show that her mobility is perfectly good.
0:49:06 > 0:49:11Absolutely. Well, I would say it's her.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14Great, thank you. If we could have copies of this and the footage,
0:49:14 > 0:49:15I will serve it on the defence
0:49:15 > 0:49:18and give a copy to the judge so he's aware of it.
0:49:19 > 0:49:23Angel denies she's the woman in the footage.
0:49:23 > 0:49:27But a second witness comes forward with a similar story.
0:49:28 > 0:49:31And the judge remands Angel in custody.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37Bad day at court for her, I think, for the defendant.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40She still insists it's not her that goes to the house,
0:49:40 > 0:49:43and it is not... Nothing to do with her.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46But two weeks later,
0:49:46 > 0:49:50the judge releases Angel so she can meet her defence team.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56It's now that Angel makes her most audacious move.
0:49:56 > 0:49:57She stops coming to court.
0:49:58 > 0:50:02Today, the defendant failed to attend.
0:50:02 > 0:50:06Police attended at her home address and could see she had gone,
0:50:06 > 0:50:09so they liaised with the concierge there
0:50:09 > 0:50:12to have a look at the CCTV footage.
0:50:13 > 0:50:14That's her.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18The clothes she is wearing are the same as the clothes
0:50:18 > 0:50:20she's worn to court.
0:50:20 > 0:50:23She's very aware of the CCTV.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32So what was noticeable there was that they acknowledged...
0:50:32 > 0:50:33The concierge is sitting here.
0:50:35 > 0:50:38She might not be in court, but she's busy.
0:50:41 > 0:50:45The CCTV shows her apparently clearing out her flat.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49So there's two of the bin liners.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55And she's not been seen since.
0:50:55 > 0:50:56It's just...
0:50:56 > 0:50:59- shocking, it really is. - SHE LAUGHS
0:51:00 > 0:51:02It's extremely worrying.
0:51:02 > 0:51:04And it's extremely frustrating.
0:51:05 > 0:51:09There are risks that this whole trial will collapse
0:51:09 > 0:51:11because of her behaviour.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17Awful feeling.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20Oh, shaking and...
0:51:20 > 0:51:22SHE EXHALES
0:51:22 > 0:51:24DOG BARKS
0:51:24 > 0:51:25Hey.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28I'm feeling apprehensive.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30But...whatever happens happens.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35It's sentencing day for David Sutherland.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38He is hoping that the judge will show some sympathy.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42You can get a suspended sentence.
0:51:42 > 0:51:47You can do community work, but realistically, erm...
0:51:50 > 0:51:54The worst thing that can happen to me is him...
0:51:54 > 0:51:55- TEARFUL:- ..being sent to jail.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02One place I thought I'd never go - prison.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05So...
0:52:05 > 0:52:07You're shaking as well, aren't you?
0:52:07 > 0:52:10No, my hands. What's to be is to be, isn't it?
0:52:11 > 0:52:13'I do worry about her, yeah. A lot.'
0:52:15 > 0:52:18Thank you. Right, Sky, hey...
0:52:18 > 0:52:19Come here.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22Eh? You be good.
0:52:24 > 0:52:25Might see you. Might.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31I would expect David Sutherland is leaving home today,
0:52:31 > 0:52:32bringing with him a bag.
0:52:32 > 0:52:36Obviously he will be looking at a custodial sentence.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38And obviously I'm sure the judge will take into account
0:52:38 > 0:52:41his previous good character. But let's be clear here,
0:52:41 > 0:52:43his previous good character, to me, means nothing
0:52:43 > 0:52:46because his previous good character is undermined
0:52:46 > 0:52:50by the number of decades that he's committed the offence for.
0:52:52 > 0:52:55He's shown no remorse. He's only sorry he's been caught.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08Maureen emerges with her granddaughter.
0:53:08 > 0:53:10The judge has sent David to prison.
0:53:13 > 0:53:17I had hoped that the judge would sympathise...
0:53:17 > 0:53:21with him having post-traumatic stress disorder.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24But no, he didn't.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27In fact he didn't even believe anything my husband told him.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30He has been sentenced today to two years.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32He has to serve at least one.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34They branded...
0:53:34 > 0:53:38branded my husband as a dishonest person.
0:53:38 > 0:53:39I just feel shocked.
0:53:42 > 0:53:47I just feel as if I want to be on me own...
0:53:47 > 0:53:48at the moment.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52It's just horrible he has to go through that.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56I'm going to go back home, I'm going to take me little dog for a walk.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59And gather me thoughts together.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14Two weeks after she disappeared, Angel has been arrested.
0:54:14 > 0:54:18She was caught at her GP's trying to get a sick note.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22One of the most interesting facts,
0:54:22 > 0:54:25I think, that came out of her arrest was
0:54:25 > 0:54:28that she walked into the GP surgery,
0:54:28 > 0:54:31and she walked out to the police car as well.
0:54:31 > 0:54:35So any masquerade in relation to her requiring this wheelchair
0:54:35 > 0:54:39on a full-time basis really has now fallen by the wayside.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45The jury finds her guilty on all counts.
0:54:45 > 0:54:50After four years, two strokes, four arrests,
0:54:50 > 0:54:5638 court hearings and a cost to the state of nearly £400,000,
0:54:56 > 0:55:01Angel Jackson gets the one thing she was trying to avoid -
0:55:01 > 0:55:03a lengthy jail sentence.
0:55:04 > 0:55:08This is the team, then, this is what it took to get justice?
0:55:08 > 0:55:15We have been waiting for this case to come to trial from 2013.
0:55:15 > 0:55:19I'm half the lady I was then in size.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23We've all got more grey hairs than we wish to account for.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25And Angel is in jail.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29What more can we say? We are really pleased with that result.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32So not only is she now serving seven years in prison,
0:55:32 > 0:55:34but she's going to lose all of her assets.
0:55:34 > 0:55:37The ratepayers are going to be compensated.
0:55:38 > 0:55:43The council have been applauded for bringing the prosecution.
0:55:43 > 0:55:47So, I think, if anything, there is a lesson in tenacity and justice.
0:55:47 > 0:55:50- Shall we...- Thanks, everyone. - ..go celebrate?
0:55:50 > 0:55:52LAUGHTER
0:56:28 > 0:56:31Next week - investigators struggle to bring
0:56:31 > 0:56:34a sophisticated fraudster to book.
0:56:34 > 0:56:39Her level of deception is beyond my comprehension.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43And investigating suspects so disabled
0:56:43 > 0:56:46they're getting benefits for life.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48I would say it's the worst day of my life.
0:56:48 > 0:56:52All I envisaged was prison and the door being slammed.
0:56:52 > 0:56:54That thought terrified me.