A Manchester mum-of-two who attempted to fraudulently claim over £21,475 for an injury at work was exposed when she was shown doing a bungee jump on TV just days later.
Noreen Murray, 31, claimed to have sustained an injury while picking up a heavy bag of laundry at her job as a cleaner, reports the Daily Mail.
Murray said that she was bed-bound for two days and could not be on her feet for more than 30 minutes at a time.
Credit: Channel 4/Coach Trip
She didn't report the incident to her managers, but instead attempted to claim thousands of pounds in damages from insurers acting on behalf of her employer at an apart-hotel in Manchester.
However, things began to unravel when it came to light that Murray had taken part in Channel 4 show Coach Trip just four days after her alleged injury and had even done a bungee jump.
Credit: Channel 4/Coach Trip
Advert
In the show filmed over a fortnight in Valencia, Spain, Murray was seen jumping off a bridge connected to an elastic rope and swinging underneath the arch.
After the jump, she was filmed saying it was 'the best thing I've ever done'. A fraud investigation was launched when the episode was aired on TV.
At Manchester Crown Court, Murray admitted fraud by false representation but escaped with a 10-month jail term suspended for two years.
Credit: Channel 4/Coach Trip
Advert
Prosecuting Iain Simkin said the fraud took place between February and March 2015.
"She made a personal injury claim to the insurers Aviva on 21st February 2014 and on this claim she stated that she was working on 19th October 2013 and received an injury to her back sustained after picking up a heavy laundry bag," Simkin said, reports the Daily Mail.
''The defendant continues to suggest that whilst she was picking up the bag she felt a sharp pain in her lower back immediately and hurt herself.
"She accepts that what happened in October could have given rise to any claim if she was in pain and struggling to work.
''However, after an investigation into this claim she was found to be working four days after the accident.
"She claimed she had injuries to her lower back but had been suffering for 2 days. She said she could not stand or walk for longer than 10-30 minutes.
"The defendant had previously been in trouble with her work after telling her manager that she had to go home for a meeting but she didn't return and stayed at home.
Credit: Channel 4/Coach Trip
"She said she suffered with a limbus spine. On 29th September 2015, along with her solicitors she made an offer for £6,500 from Aviva but this did not stand.
''She was then seen on TV on an episode of the show Coach Trip, taking part in a bridge swing.
"This is similar to a bungee jump, but instead of going straight down, she swung under the bridge, around and back up again. This was filmed in Valencia, four days after reporting the injury.
"On her application to the show she claimed that she was in robust health and she was willing and able to take part in any physical activity. She has a high culpability."
As well as receiving a suspended sentence, Murray was also ordered to be electronically tagged for four months and was ordered to abide by an 8am to 8pm curfew and pay a £100 surcharge.
Judge Martin Rudland told her: "This is a very unfortunate chapter in your life and was a foolish enterprise. I suspect there was a minor injury caused by a slight event at work involving your back but a scan showed that there was minor damage possibly from an old injury.
"Yet you went to work and gave rise to a claim. You were always going to be found out. You could have accepted £6,500 instead you proceeded to continue and the costs of the solicitors you involved and the medics was substantial."
Featured Image Credit: Channel 4Topics: UK News, Film and TV, Fraud