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Royal Navy reservist who conned force out of £70k may keep job because 'service is short-staffed'

Lieutenant Mark Vickers fraudulently claimed the cash between June 2017 and April 2018 - Solent News & Photo Agency/Solent News & Photo Agency
Lieutenant Mark Vickers fraudulently claimed the cash between June 2017 and April 2018 - Solent News & Photo Agency/Solent News & Photo Agency

A ROYAL Navy reservist who scammed the force out of more than £70,000 could keep his job because of staff shortages, his superiors told a court.

Reservists are paid for their services on deployment and are also compensated for the earnings they miss out on in their usual employment.

Lieutenant Mark Vickers fraudulently claimed the cash between June 2017 and April 2018 after he was deployed in the Royal Navy Reserve to Bahrain - despite being made redundant by his civilian employer after one month at sea, Portsmouth Crown Court heard.

And Vickers, 55, planned to take a further 'employment bonus' of £25,000 after being made redundant using forged documents.

Vickers admitted two counts of fraud and received a 20-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years - but Lieutenant Commander James Browning suggested he could keep his job due to current reservist staffing levels.

There are 344 out of 2,770 reservists employed in ships, units and headquarters around the world.

Lieutenant Commander James Browning told the hearing Vickers, who is a former solicitor, was a 'solid and valued' reservist.

He added that while the Navy reserves the right to discipline Vickers, who has been a reservist for 17 years, further, 'it is already short-staffed as it is'.

The Royal Navy discovered Vickers actions following an investigation.

Prosecuting, Rob Griffiths said: "This was an abuse of his position, and there was an element of planning since a letter was produced. It wasn't a very sophisticated fraud."

The judge, Recorder Richard Shepherd, told Vickers he had been thinking of sending him straight to prison, saying he had 'brought shame' on both himself and the uniform he has worn for 17 years.

But he reconsidered after the Navy offered support and he was told Vickers, of London, had  mental health issues.

John Townsend, mitigating said: "This is a man of good character.

"He has a distinguished career as a reservist but also as a former solicitor. All of that is obliterated by this conviction."

Sentencing, judge Shepherd said: "The navy should have been able to trust you, but you betrayed them.

"But I absolutely accept your remorse is genuine, and you have been badly affected psychologically."

Vickers has already repaid the navy for the money he took and must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

A spokesman for the Navy said after the hearing: “The Service will now consider the effect of this conviction on his Service Career. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”