Stourbridge treasurer pocketed cash from Royal British Legion pot
A Royal British Legion treasurer 'lined his own pockets' by stealing almost £1,700 from his branch – and a judge said a lot of it 'went through his lungs and liver' as he spent it on cigarettes and booze.
Anthony Boswell, aged 69, had led a 'blameless life' but wrecked his 'impeccable' good name and standing in the community by dipping into the coffers of the former Lye and Wollescote Royal British Legion, which was wound up last year due to dwindling numbers, magistrates heard.
District Judge Graham Wilkinson told him he should use the money he spends each week on drink and cigarettes to repay cash to the charity and court penalties – a total of £2,036.99.
Boswell, of Wassell Road, Wollescote, Stourbridge, had previously denied theft of £1,676.99 belonging to the RBL but changed his plea to guilty after none of his defence witnesses turned up for the trial at Dudley Magistrates Court.
The court heard the offence happened when Boswell was treasurer of the Lye and Wollescote branch between December 2010 and June 2013.
Boswell was given a two-month community order, during which time he must wear a tag to monitor his movements to make sure he sticks to a curfew from 6pm to 6am.
He was also ordered to pay back all of the money he stole from the British Legion, as well as pay £300 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
The theft came to light in an audit after the branch was closed Mr Harbinder Gahir, defending, said Boswell had spent 30 years doing unpaid voluntary work for the RBL, including organising charity events, and took over as treasurer after the death of a committee member.
"His name will now be tarnished within the area," added Mr Gahir.
The judge said Boswell had claimed to have distributed the money to various good causes but there was no evidence to prove it.
Judge Wilkinson told him: "This was a tremendous breach of trust against a charity that helps our fighting men and women.
"For 65 years you led a blameless life, giving your time freely to the British Legion. You have wrecked it all.
"You lined your own pockets. I have seen in court papers how much you smoke and drink per week. A lot went through your lungs and your liver."
