Ex-mayor told fraud investigators: Do you know who I am?

Oct 4 2007

Ex Sefton Mayor John walker, and his wife Catie

A FORMER mayor accused of falsely claiming disability benefits asked fraud investigators if they know who he was, a court heard.

Ex-mayor of Sefton John Walker, 57, and his wife Catie, 49, are accused at Liverpool crown court of conspiring to fraudulently obtain income support and disability living allowance.

During their trial, the jury has heard the charges relate to the couple's failure to declare Walker’s expenses as councillor and mayor, and Catie Walker's job as a taxi escort for children with special needs.

The couple, of Farmer Place, Bootle, each deny the charges.

Prosecutor Teresa Loftus has told the jury they completed benefits applications which claimed John Walker suffered several disabilities and needed constant care from his wife.

She has alleged he claimed he was unable to walk more than 20-25 yards without severe pain and he said he needed assistance when outdoors as he suffered from dizziness and blackouts, frequently falling or stumbling.

The court has also been told Walker claimed he found word selection and speaking a problem.

Principal counter-fraud investigator for the Department for Work and Pensions Carol Wilson told the court she attended the Walker’s first-floor maisonette on January 9 2006.

She said she was with other fraud investigators and Merseyside Police, who had a warrant to search the two-bedroom house, where the Walkers live with their teenage daughter.

Mrs Wilson told the court she saw Walker get out of his chair unassisted four times and he went to the bathroom without any apparent difficulty.

She also confirmed two crutches and a walking stick were found in an external cupboard at the property.

Mrs Wilson told the court: “I did speak to Mr Walker.

“Mr Walker, in my presence, asked the police officers and the DWP officers whether we knew who he was - that he was a councillor and he was the mayor.

“He also stated he had been fully co-operative with the DWP and this matter could have been resolved by a simple telephone call or a letter.

“He also asked if the chief executive was aware that he’d been arrested that day.

“I responded that I wasn’t at liberty to say, because it’s our policy not to engage with a person who is going to be interviewed under caution.”

Mrs Wilson added that Walker did not seem to have any difficulty expressing himself.

The jury was shown a video of the search conducted by police, which was supervised by DWP officers.