A 54-year-old man with no previous convictions was drawn into a benefits fraud which was being executed nationally.

Blackburn magistrates heard Craig Ingham allowed his details to be used to make fraudulent claims for benefits involving children and housing costs.

The total of the fraudulent claim in his name was £5,574.

Ingham, 54, of Pansy Street South, Accrington, pleaded guilty to four charges of retaining a wrongful credit. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 120 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay a £90 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Bilal Hussain, prosecuting, said the claims had been made in the defendant's name and the money paid into his bank account. The claims involved false information about children and housing costs.

Peter King, defending, said the pre-sentence report referred to criminal gangs taking advantage of vulnerable and gullible people to draw them into the benefits scam, which exploited a loophole.

"At the time, my client was both vulnerable and gullible," said Mr King. "He was approached by an individual who duped him and then hooked him into continuing with the process. The greatest loss for him is the loss of his good name."