Soldier at centre of £1m fraud got a job applying for government grants after Army swindle was exposed
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.
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.
A serving soldier who cannot be named also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.
Two former soldiers, LSgt Lee Richards, 41, and LCpl Amy Sheldon, 37, deny conspiracy to commit fraud and transferring criminal property.
They are currently on trial with civilian Simon Lees, 31, of Oldham, who denies laundering over £270,000 through his bank accounts within the space of six months.
Stelmach-Purdie revealed his Grantify role when he changed his plea to guilty and asked the court to ease his ankle-tag bail conditions.
Mr Rose told the jury: “He has a tag on him. He has a curfew.
“He asked for permission for that tag to be released because he had some work with a company that is doing some work in the US and he wanted to be in the offices in England late at night, so he was on US time.”
Grantify says it has helped businesses “win tens of millions worth of government grants,” the court was told.
The trial continues.