UK Man Faked Coma For 2 Years To Avoid Court

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LONDON (AP) — A fraudster who pretended to be quadriplegic and sometimes comatose for two years to avoid prosecution has been convicted after police caught him on camera driving and strolling around supermarkets.

Prosecutors say Alan Knight stole more than 40,000 pounds ($64,000) from an elderly neighbor with Alzheimer’s disease.

When police began investigating, Knight claimed to be quadriplegic and so sick he sometimes fell into a coma. He checked himself into a hospital to avoid court appearances.

His deceit was uncovered when police tracked the use of his supermarket card, and produced surveillance camera footage of him walking and driving.

Knight pleaded guilty Tuesday at Swansea Crown Court to 19 counts of forgery, fraud and theft.

The court said Wednesday that Knight is due to be sentenced Nov. 7.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Art: Screen grab from “Arrested Development”

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Notable Replies

  1. Pretending to be disabled and comatose?

    I would have figured him for a David Cameron supporter looking at the rise of UKIP’s share in the polls…

  2. Possibly the best image to associate with a story ever. Nicely done.

  3. Avatar for Mitch Mitch says:

    Run him for Congress immediately. He’s a role model.

  4. I don’t feel like going to work today. I think I just found the perfect excuse.
    Ill call the boss and tell I can’t make it. I’m in a coma.

  5. His deceit was uncovered when police tracked the use of his supermarket card,

    I guess he needed those value buys if he’s going to take himself out of the fraud game to pretend to sleep to avoid punishment like a toddler.

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