A FOOTBALL referee who falsely claimed nearly £20,000 in disability benefits while continuing to oversee matches has been sent to prison.

David Adams' claims he would officiate matches from the centre circle and would walk to deal with incidents were branded "preposterous and laughable" by a Crown Court judge this week.

The 56-year-old, who is registered with the Berks and Bucks FA, was jailed for 16 weeks after receiving £19,389.57 through fraudulent claims over a nine year period.

During his trial jurors heard that he oversaw at least 40 matches, and Adams told the court he would stand near the centre spot and walk to any incidents.

But his claims were rejected by the jury, who convicted him of two charges of fraud by dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit, and trial judge Francis Sheridan.

Jailing him on Monday at Amersham Crown Court, Judge Sheridan told the father of two: "You told the jury you would stand around the centre point on the pitch and if an incident occurred you would blow your whistle and everybody would have to wait while you made your way down to deal with the incident.

"It is a preposterous and ludicrous proposition. The idea of a walking referee, even at pub level, is laughable."

Judge Sheridan told Adams, of Rose Drive, Chesham, he was "supplementing what was otherwise a very good income" from his then-job in the property maintenance trade.

The court heard he suffered a genuine injury which put him off work and led to him applying for benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions.

However, his condition improved so much that colleagues who saw him climbing stairs and ladders were startled to learn he was still receiving disability support.

Polly Dyer, prosecuting, said Adams should have notified the DWP his condition had improved.

She said: "He received yearly forms on which he could have notified them. He said he had informed the department and said he was under the impression it was a lifetime award so he had not been acting fraudulently."

The judge agreed, telling Adams: "Your condition improved and you did nothing to inform the authorities.

"One of the witnesses expressed surprise that you carried any disability whatsoever.

"But of course the clinching evidence was the fact you were working as a referee on a total of more than 40 occasions - not the highest level, but you were an FA qualified referee."

Judge Sheridan also ordered the fraudulently claimed money to be confiscated and for an identical sum to be paid to the DWP in compensation - which he said is likely to force Adams to sell his home.