Navy supports reservist who conned £70k out of service

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

Lieutenant Mark Vickers claimed the cash in compensation for the earnings he would have missed out on in his civilian job, despite being made redundant from it after one month at sea.

The 55-year-old former solicitor also attempted to claim an “employment bonus” of £25,000 using forged documents.

Vickers admitted two counts of fraud between June 2017 and April 2018 and was handed a 20-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Recorder Richard Shepherd told Vickers he had been considering sending him straight to prison, saying he had “brought shame” on himself and the uniform he had worn for 17 years.

“The Navy should have been able to trust you, but you betrayed them,” he added.

However, he said he relented when he found Vickers had mental-health issues and was being supported by the Royal Navy.

Lieutenant Commander James Browning told the hearing that Vickers was a “solid and valued” reservist.

He said that while the Navy reserved the right to discipline him further, it was “already short-staffed as it is”.

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

After the hearing a spokesman for the Navy said: “The service will consider the effect of this conviction on his service career. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”