A FORMER soldier has been jailed for more than three years after he abused his position of trust to steal just over £100,000 from a child’s trust fund.

A reporting restriction imposed by a Bradford Crown Court judge means that the full details of the case cannot be disclosed to protect the identify of the youngster, but yesterday, fraudster Anthony Buckton was locked up for three years and four months.

Buckton, of Barkerend Road, Bradford, carried out the fraud over a number of years and Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said he had even “blackened” the complainant’s character as he told lies to explain why he had to withdraw money.

Judge Durham Hall said Buckton had “rifled” the trust fund as he carried out 140 illegal transactions and his crime had caused grave damage.

“There are cases where simple sums are inadequate to express the disgust of society and this is one of those cases,” said the judge.

Solicitor advocate Tahir Hanif, for 42-year-old Buckton, suggested his client had shown a lot of remorse.

“He’s incredibly ashamed for himself, his family and his wife,” he added.

Mr Hanif said it was when Buckton was having “personal difficulties” that he started taking the money, but things got worse and worse.

“He has indicated that no matter what happens to him today he intends to make sure he pays back everything that is owed,” he said.

“He intends to make sure that every single penny that he has taken will be repaid.”

Buckton was jailed for three years and four months after he admitted one charge of fraud relating to the theft of £102,584.88.

He will now face further legal proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act in an effort to recoup some of the stolen money for the complainant.

“At this stage we cannot be clear about how much can be recovered,” said prosecutor Michael Smith.

“We hope to do as much as we can in due course.”

Sentencing Buckton, Judge Durham Hall said the lies which blackened the complainant’s character were a particularly mean aspect of the case.

“It may be that the future will permit some refund. It may be that the fund can grow, but all these matters are highly speculative,” said Judge Durham Hall.

The court heard that the complainant’s trust fund now had about £30,000 left in it.

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