A FORMER soldier unable to cope with life outside the army turned to crime to solve his debt problem.

Damian Clarke called at the homes of pensioners, purporting to be a British Gas workman.

And, after pretending to carry out work, he demanded payment.

Judge John Phipps, who heard that his victims included two women in their 90s, told him (on Friday, Feb 18): "These were despicable offences involving premeditation and planning. You preyed on the elderly and targeted your victims, who were the old and vulnerable."

Liverpool Crown Court heard that 23-year-old Clarke, who had left the army after five years with an exemplary record, came from a respectable family who were horrified at his behaviour.

Clarke, of Mill Street, Farington, pleaded guilty to four deception offences and had a further five taken into consideration, all involving people living in Southport. He was jailed for two years.

Mr Geoffrey Fryar, prosecuting, said that Clarke called on the 91-year-old woman twice, the first time receiving £600 and the second time three months later he asked for £1,000, saying she needed a new boiler. He then said he would accept a down-payment cheque of £390 and she allowed him to write it out as her hand was shaking with fright, but she delayed him so that he could not get to the bank in time to cash it and a worried neighbour noted his registration number.

Police began a surveillance operation and he was arrested on November 30, said Mr Fryar.

When his home was searched police found the uniform he had worn, plus his bogus identity card.

When interviewed he admitted the second visit but claimed a friend had gone round the first time.

Police had also found a diary showing details of his other victims, and he admitted that altogether he had made about £2,500.

Defence counsel Mark Brown said that after leaving the army in 1997, Clarke had found it difficult to cope with financial affairs as in the forces everything was structured and done for him.

He got into debt and instead of asking his family for help, carried out the offences.

Until then he had lead a law-abiding life, like his family, and he planned to positively use his time in prison and stay out of trouble when released.

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