A CHURCH pastor from Crewe who dishonestly claimed £36,000 in state benefits has been warned she may face a jail sentence.

Stephanie Meakin, 51, of Springwell Close, was convicted of dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances on Friday, September 30, following a four-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The court heard that despite claiming Disability Living Allowance for severe mobility problems she had waded unaided into the sea to baptise new members of the congregation of the Church of Abundant Life International, which is based in Crewe.

She also took part without problems in the hokey-cokey at the church Christmas party, wore high heels and was seen walking up a steep hill and jogging to a cash machine, all unaided.

North Wales and the Christmas party.

Meakin begun receiving disability living allowance, at the highest rate, in 1995 legitimately because of severe back trouble. However by 2001 her condition significantly improved.

Between October 2001 and February 2013 she dishonestly obtained a total of £36,000.

“The prosecution says she dishonestly failed to notify that improvement in her disability to the DWP and carried on claiming benefit she knew she was no longer entitled,” said Kevin Slack, prosecuting.

The court had heard that when DWP investigators and police raided her home they found a life insurance application form on which she stated that apart from high blood pressure she had no on-going health problem and “exercised three times a week for 30 minutes.”

“There is no reason to believe that what she put on that health form was anything other than the truth,” said Mr Slack.

The jury heard that she also went to South Africa on a church mission and twice to see relatives in the Philippines.

The court also heard that neighbours saw Meakin walking her Rottweiler unaided.

Paul Challoner, a member of her congregation, spoke of her involvement in baptisms at Black Rock.

Meakin pleaded not guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change in circumstances.

It took the jury at Liverpool Crown Court just 90 minutes to deliver a guilty verdict.

Delivering the verdict, Recorder Mary Loram said: “The speed of their verdict is perhaps an indication of the strength of the evidence against you.”

Recorder Loram told Meakin that immediate custody is a ‘realistic option’.

She was further remanded on bail to await sentence on November 7.