Guitar player who claimed £5,000 in benefits for bad back caught jumping around on stage

A guitarist who claimed more than £5,000 in disability benefits was spotted leaping around on stage during a gig, a court has heard.

Rex Seeley was supposed to be suffering from a spinal condition.

But benefit fraud officers spotted the 57-year-old 'jumping about' during an action-packed concert at a pub.

Before the performance, Seeley was seen crawling around the stage making electrical connections and carrying heavy musical equipment into the venue.

The fraudster, who has worked as a professional musician since the 1970s, admitted failing to notify officials he was healthy. 

Andrew Riley, prosecuting, said Seeley had dishonestly claimed £5,253 in disability living allowance and incapacity benefit.

The musician failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions that his bad back had improved or that he had returned to work.

Mr Riley told South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court he had been a long-term claimant.

Seeley, of Felixstowe, suffered spinal injuries and nerve damage which left him unable to walk after he fell from a crane in 1990.

Four years later he was told he would never work again.

Craig Marchant, defending, told the court Seeley was 'stoned' on prescribed drugs and booze during his performance at the Manor Ballroom in Ipswich.

He said: 'The only way he could play was because he was stoned but the following day he would pay the price for his over-exertions.  

'Whilst his abilities appeared to be improving to a certain extent, that was temporary.'

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Monday for reports.

Jump: Van Halen singer Dave Lee Roth leaping around on stage