A man claiming disability benefits was fit enough to carry heavy equipment for karaoke sessions, a court heard.

Vernon Mitchell, 54, had been receiving disability living allowance since 2004 - claiming to be suffering from several health problems, including poor mobility, breathlessness and physical weakness.

But, following an anonymous tip-off to the Department of Work and Pensions last year, investigators captured Mitchell on video lugging sound equipment into the now-closed Friar pub, in Old Marston Road, Marston, Oxford.

Under the name "V" Man, he had been running karaoke sessions there and at other pubs for two years.

At Oxford Magistrates' Court yesterday, Mitchell, who admitted obtaining more than £2,800 of benefits by deception, was handed a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £200 costs.

Kevin Dent, prosecuting, told the court: "He was seen making a number of trips walking apparently without any difficulty, stretching, bending and able to carry heavy items. In other words, in considerably better health than he had represented to the department."

Mr Dent said the level of benefit Mitchell, of London Road, Headington, Oxford, had been receiving was a higher rate reserved for people with little or no mobility.

He said other local landlords had confirmed that Mitchell had been running discos at their pubs too, being paid around £90.

When interviewed by the DWP, Mitchell said his health had improved, but only "in the last few months".

Ruth Draisey, defending Mitchell, said he had suffered from a degenerative lung condition since 1998 and was entitled to disability benefit, but not at the level he had claimed. The court heard he ran karaoke nights when "feeling well enough" and although his health had improved, he still had bad days. She added: "While the DWP might have observed him on his good days, there were many, many more days before and after this period when he was not so well."

A DWP spokesman said: "Benefit cheats take money intended for the most vulnerable in our society."