A bodybuilder has been sentenced to eight months in prison after his claim against the NHS fell apart. Sean Murphy, 39, alleged that a surgical error left him incapable of lifting anything heavier than an empty kettle. However, evidence surfaced showing him lifting heavy weights and playing rugby.
Murphy initiated legal action against Wye Valley NHS Trust, stating that an operation to repair his bicep following a rugby injury left him disabled. He claimed he could no longer work, play rugby, or even dress himself. His case unraveled when the NHS received tips about his alleged deceit, leading to the discovery of photos and videos where he was seen lifting heavy weights and playing on the rugby field.
Despite claiming he was limited to lifting light items, video evidence showed Murphy lifting a three-stone kettlebell and curling a barbell while the Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon” played in the background. His £580,000 damages claim was dismissed in 2022, and he was jailed for contempt of court.
Justice Mould characterized Murphy’s actions as “selfish and self-serving deceit,” particularly egregious during the Covid pandemic. Initially, Murphy underwent surgery for a torn biceps tendon in March 2017, resulting in damage to his elbow and nerve injury. He argued that his grip strength had severely diminished, making him dependent on others for basic tasks.
The NHS acknowledged that Murphy deserved some compensation but labeled his £580,000 claim as grossly exaggerated. Evidence showed he was back to playing rugby and lifting weights shortly after the surgery. Judge James Healy-Pratt dismissed his claim, stating it was worth only about £5,000 and calling it “fundamentally dishonest.”
In a later trial, NHS barristers sought Murphy’s imprisonment for providing false statements to medical experts. Justice Mould ruled that Murphy had made a series of deliberate false statements to exaggerate the impact of his injury, stating the evidence against him was “compelling.” The judge concluded that Murphy had no significant weakness in his arm, affirming that the shortest possible sentence was eight months.
