Major ‘conned Army out of £38k to pay school fees’
AN ARMY major stole nearly £40,000 from taxpayers to send his children to one of the most expensive boarding schools, a military court heard.
Royal Engineer Lloyd Hamilton, 47, kept claiming the money for fees despite being ineligible when his marriage hit the rocks.
The court martial was told Maj Hamilton – thought to earn around £54,000 – packed his son and daughter off to Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate in Yorkshire where fees can be more than £40,000 a year.
His claims for continuity education allowance [CEA] were legitimate while his wife Liz Hamilton lived with him when he was stationed at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.
But their relationship allegedly broke down and he told her it was best if she returned to the £500,000 four-bedroom family home in Hamble, Hants.The court yesterday heard Maj Hamilton – awarded an MBE for charity work – told friends he “didn’t want to continue walking blindly through life” just for the children and wanted a divorce.
Investigated
Mrs Hamilton, an IBM manager, returned to the UK but prosecutors allege she made trips to Cyprus – spending a quarter of her time there – so it appeared they were together.
However, his claims for CEA raised eyebrows and were investigated.
Maj Hamilton texted his wife:
“There are a lot of indications that work are looking into why you are not here. If this leads to me being investigated I will be ******* fuming.”
Commander Peter Barker, prosecuting, told Bulford Military Court,Wilts: “The crown say over the entire period of the charges, 397 days, the allegation is that Mrs Hamilton was not living at the work address. In fact, we say she only spent 99 days in Cyprus.
“The crown say that the marriage was in substantial difficulties and then broke down irretrievably.”
Maj Hamilton allegedly wrongly claimed £38,892 between July 2017 and August 2018. He denies two charges of fraud. Trial continues.
He co-founded sailing charity Toe in the Water, which helps injured servicemen and women.