Carntyne man lied about sexual abuse to defraud his in-laws

A couple have been left bankrupt after being duped into giving their son-in-law money who drew them in with sex abuse lies.

Derek and Martha Wales took out numerous loans and credit, bought cars in their name and paid for James White’s house to be decorated, all totalling almost £56,000.

The 36-year-old convinced them he was due compensation as a victim of sexual abuse he would use the cash to repay them.

His in-laws were caught up in his web of lies including that his sister Margaret was jailed for a fraud in his name, he was bankrupt as a result that and he needed money for legal fees and expenses to travel to court - or face being arrested.

The dad-of-two later bragged to Margaret that he used 10 different phones to pose as court officials including solicitor Jim Friel, who tragically died in July 2014.

After asking advice about the level of debt they racked up and learning Mr Friel was dead, Mr Wales reported his son-in-law to police.

After a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court today, White, from Carntyne, Glasgow, was convicted of the £55, 868 fraud spanning from January 2011 to August 2015.

Speaking outside court Mr Wales, 53, said: “He had been in our family for 18 years, we treated him like a son.

“We played golf and football together and everything was fine. In 2011 after the death of his dad, that’s when everything started and we gave him money to help them out.

Mr Wales added: "We were disgusted by it and wanted to help him and protect our daughter.

"He wouldn’t talk about it and we didn’t want to press him. After that I was hooked, seeing my daughter upset by this, and did everything we could to help.

"He told so many lies, unfortunately we got taken in, we had no reason to doubt him."

Sheriff Paul Crozier deferred sentence on White until next month and continued his bail.

End

• Glasgow