Kristian Hidle received compensation payments from Aviva for two years after claiming he was unable work, could barely walk and was in severe pain.

The 27-year-old also claimed he was suffering from severe psychological injuries which meant he was too afraid to get into a car.

Hidle's lies were uncovered after Aviva launched an investigation.

He he was filmed driving to the shed company where he worked and completing a full day's work.

Leeds Crown Court heard Hidle also worked at a recruitment firm during the period of offending and owned two cars.

Bashir Ahmed, prosecuting, said Hidle was involved in a car crash in December 2014 and was not at fault for the collision.

The driver of the other car reported the incident to his insurer.

In October 2015 Hidle made a personal injury claim through his solicitors stating that he had suffered spinal injuries which included fractured and dislodged vertebrae.

Mr Ahmed said Aviva accepted liability and sent him an initial payment of £3,387 in January 2016.

A further medical report which was prepared a month later stated that he struggled to walk and could not sit for more than five minutes because he was in so much pain.

Ten further medical reports were sent and Aviva were informed that Hidle had his employment terminated because of his injuries.

Hidle received further payments from Aviva up until June 2017.

The company instructed investigators after being made aware that Hidle was in paid employment.

He was secretly filmed driving to and from work at the shed company on four occasions.

The prosecutor said the investigation revealed he had been the owner of two cars.

One of the vehicles was involved in a road traffic collision in December 2016.

Mr Ahmed said: "It is clear from what the defendant did that his statements to doctors and other healthcare specialists was contradictive.

Hidle made no comment when the matter was reported to police and he was interviewed.

Hidle, of Batley Road, West Ardsley, pleaded guilty to fraud.

The defendant told a probation officer when interviewed about the offence that he felt like "an idiot", was sorry for what he had done and that he deserved any sentence given to him.

Denise Breen-Lawton, mitigating, handed the court "glowing" references describing Hidle's good character.

The barrister said Hidle now worked as a carer and was in the "frontline" helping to look after elderly and vulnerable people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Breen-Lawton said her client was terrified of being sent to prison.

She added: "He has never been in a courtroom in his life and he will never come back to one."

Judge Tom Bayliss QC said: "This was sophisticated offending.

"You must have planned what you were going to say to these doctors and the play acting that was going on.

"It was fraudulent activity over a period of time. It was a breach of trust."

Hidle was given a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work.

Leeds car crash insurance scam fraudster claimed £36,000 from Aviva by lying about his injuries