'Profoundly dishonest' ex-soldier stole military kit worth more than £30k from barracks
A former soldier sold stolen boots and helmets valued at over £30,000 - some to eBay customers - while employed by the military.
Connor Gore was employed in the clothing stores at Beacon Barracks, in Stafford, when he was caught out by senior officers. He pleaded guilty to one count of theft between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2018 at a previous hearing.
The court heard some items were stolen to order.
Sentencing him at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge John Edwards said: "In January 2016 you completed your training with 1 Signal Regiment at Beacon Barracks. You were assigned to the clothing store.
"Your duties were very important and involved ordering kit for soldiers including ballistic helmets. When you were aged 18 you were right at it - stealing equipment from the barracks and turning over a very healthy cottage industry by stealing to order on eBay, starting with boots, escalating to helmets.
"In terms of loss to the MoD you were in a position of real trust. This was a case of profound dishonesty and the bit that leaves a real nasty taste in the mouth was that colleagues of yours had the finger of suspicion pointed at them in this matter."
