A BOGUS vet who lied his way into a job at a Taunton practice has been ordered to pay just £300 after he earned more than £40,000.

Patrick Keniry, 59, who has several criminal convictions for similar offences, admitted faking his CV to get work at Priory Veterinary Practice, in Taunton in 2015.

Keniry, who used the name of a qualified vet to get the job, was employed there for almost two years before he was rumbled last May.

During his time at Priory, he earned £40,680 and lodged rent-free in a flat above the practice - which was worth £7,680 In October last year Keniry was jailed for three years after admitting to one charge of fraud and one of practising as a veterinary surgeon without being registered.

Keniry also has two previous convictions for fraud and impersonating a vet in his native South Africa and four convictions for practising as an unregistered vet in the UK, as well as convictions for fraud.

He appeared at Taunton Magistrates Court today (April 13) for a Proceeds of Crime Act Hearing.

At the hearing defence barrister James Taghdissian said Keniry was willing to pay back some of the money but said Keniry claimed he only had £300 in assets. Prosecuting, Neil Treherne advised recorder Edward Burgess to order Keniry to pay £300 in three months in costs.

At the hearing, Mr Burgess said Keniry had lied about his position to take the money and ordered Keniry to pay £300 by July 13 in costs.

After the hearing Keniry was remanded in custody.