A former member of the armed forces has admitted his part in a scheme which led to over £22,000 of goods being fraudulently obtained from the Ministry of Defence.
Steven Stewart (35), of Elliot Street, Dunfermline, appeared at Arbroath Sheriff Court in connection with the offences which took place between February 1, 2007, and May 1, 2008, at RM Condor and other locations unknown to the procurator fiscal.
Stewart, who left the armed forces in 2007 to take up a job running specialist courses with Trueways Survival School in Surrey, received 2043 ration packs valued at £11 each from a “contact” at the Arbroath base.
Although he made no personal financial gain as a result, Sheriff Derek Pyle insisted that it had been advantageous to Stewart as it had significantly increased his standing in the eyes of his new employers.
Stewart’s solicitor, Paul Kavanagh, attempted to obtain an absolute discharge on his client’s behalf on the grounds that a conviction could lead to the withdrawal of an offer of employment which Stewart was due to take up later this year.
Mr Kavanagh advised that the nature of this opportunity was sensitive in terms of national security and could not be disclosed in open court.
However, Sheriff Pyle insisted that Stewart should not be afforded special treatment and also rejected Mr Kavanagh’s suggestion that the proceedings should be heard in private.
He said, “I’m not diminishing the fact that he has served Queen and country but the bottom line is he did this to benefit himself as it would impress his employers. How can I grant an absolute discharge to someone like that?”
He added, “Many people lose their jobs because of criminal convictions drink-drivers lose their jobs every day of the week.”
Mr Kavanagh added that Stewart had endured a turbulent period in his personal life since leaving the armed forces, as his wife had been diagnosed with cancer while pregnant with their daughter. Although her treatment was successful, the court was told that the cancer had returned.
Fiscal depute Alastair Learmont advised Sheriff Pyle that ration packs to the value of £8886 had been recovered after police had been alerted. However, as the expiry date on the packs had passed they could be of no further use to the Ministry of Defence.
Sheriff Pyle deferred sentencing until April 26 for the preparation of reports.