Benefits cheat has raked in £170,000

Barley has made around 160 dishonest claims in three years

- EXPRESS REPORTER

A Renfrewshire benefits cheat raked in almost £170,000 in Universal Credit payments by “hijacking” the identity of 68 people.

James Stephen Barley, 37, who now has a legitimate job earning £700 per week, has been warned he could be jailed after making almost 160 dishonest benefit claims in three years.

Prosecutor Diane Jackson said the defendant, from Paisley, used the personal details of “numerous” people to lodge Universal Credit claims, requesting advanced payments.

Barley pleaded guilty to three offences at Carlisle's Rickergate court.