A SOLDIER at the centre of a £1million fraud got a job applying for government grants after his Army swindle was exposed, a court heard. Cpl Aaron Stelmach-Purdie, 33, was hired by UK firm Grantify where he wowed civilian bosses with his knack for getting government cash . At the time the former pay clerk had been charged with fraud and money laundering worth £911,608 – but had not yet been convicted.
Defence counsel Jonathan Rose told the court: “There is nothing to suggest that Grantify are anything other than a legitimate business and they are impressed with Mr Stelmach Purdie. “He appears to be particularly skilled at getting money, which is somewhat ironic.” Stelmach-Purdie, of Oldham , made hundreds of bogus claims for flights, food and allowances when he was based at Regents Park Barracks , a classified counter terrorism base in London .
Read More on UK News He bought luxury watches , Louboutin shoes , a “Pimp my Ride” Range Rover Overfinch and plastic surgery in Turkey including six-pack implants, teeth whitening and hair transplants, jurors at Southwark Crown Court were told. Five former comrades have admitted their parts in the fraud between Dec 2014 and Jan 2016..
They include Sgt Alan O’Neil, 47,of Droitwich, Worcs, Sgt Peter Wilson, 55, of Kidderminster, Wilts, movements clerk Ant Sharwood, 38, of Bromsgrove, Worcs, and Lauren O’Brien, 37, of Larkhill, Wilts. They have all now left the forces. Most read in The Sun A serving soldier who cannot be.