A FORMER soldier who stole hundreds of pounds from a charity that helps injured servicemen has been spared jail after paying the money back.
Paul Langthorp, 48, pocketed money raised by the Yorkshire Warriors, a choir that performs at pubs and clubs in aid of the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Fund (YRBF).
The charity helps injured soldiers who have fallen on tough times, including those injured fighting in Afghanistan.
Langthorp pleaded guilty to theft of £619 and two counts of "using a false instrument with intent so it is to be accepted as genuine", namely two forged letters.
Hull Crown Court heard how the choir had held a concert at the Rampant Horse in Orchard Park, north Hull, in August last year.
Langthorp, the choirmaster, was entrusted to collect the cash from the pub and deliver it to the charity.
Instead, he spent the cash.
Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, described the crime as "mean, despicable and shameful".
However, he suspended a five-month prison sentence for two years after it was confirmed Langthorp had paid back the charity.
Langthorp, who served in The Yorkshire Regiment's predecessor, The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, forged fake letters when members of the choir and landlord of the Rampant Horse Colin Edgecombe, became suspicious.
He collected the money from the pub after telling Mr Edgecombe he had a meeting with the YRBF that afternoon.
Concerns were raised when the choir did not receive a letter of thanks from the charity, as they usually do.
Langthorp then presented the choir with two letters – one thanking them and the other thanking the pub. However, neither letter was marked with the charity's emblem.
They were not addressed and the donation amount was wrong, prompting choir member Steve Wilson to contact the charity.
Prosecutor Wendy Foster said: "They [the charity] confirmed no money had been received and they had not sent any letters. As a result, the matter was referred to the police."
Langthorp told officers he had bagged and sent the money off, but admitted forging the letters, believing the money had got lost in the post.
In mitigation, John Thackray said since the offence Langthorp's home had been the target of arson.
Mr Thackray said: "This was entirely out of character.
"It is a fall from grace, which is a punishment in itself. He was subject to an arson attack and, as a consequence of that, his former partner won't allow his son to stay at his home."
Sentencing, Judge Richardson said: "You are a former soldier. What a disgrace.
"It is despicable and it is shameful."
Langthorp was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay an £80 victim surcharge.
After the hearing, choir members Irene Penney and her son Karl, said: "He was trusted by so many people and he has gone and let all these soldiers down – soldiers that he served with.
"We would have liked him to go to prison."
