Ex-MP Jared O’Mara made up expenses claims to fund cocaine habit, court told

Jared O'Mara, who is on trial at Leeds crown court, denies all charges. Photograph: Antonio Olmos/The Observer

A former MP accused of submitting fraudulent expense claims to parliament was “heavily addicted to cocaine” and living beyond his means, a court has heard.

Jared O’Mara is accused of committing eight counts of “brazen” fraud while he was Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam. It is also alleged he tried to claim about £30,000 of taxpayers’ money using false invoices for organisations that did not exist.