A former British Army quartermaster has admitted to stealing nearly £1 million from the Ministry of Defence.
Jed Charlot, 44, a former sergeant, pleaded guilty to stealing £900,000 while stationed at a barracks in Tidworth, Wiltshire, between December 2021 and October 2022.
Charlot, a father of three from Andover, Hampshire, was charged with fraud by abuse of position, theft by employee and possession of criminal property.
Court documents from the Crown Prosecution Service state Charlot “committed fraud in that while occupying a position, namely Quarter Master [sic] in the British Army, in which you were expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of the British Army, you dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely a monetary gain, for yourself.”
The senior Non-Commissioned Officer was attached to the 6 Armoured Close Support Battalion of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Salisbury Crown Court heard.
Charlot pleaded guilty to the offences on Wednesday.
Judge Richard Parkes KC told Charlot he “will be going to prison” and described the case as “very curious”.
Mary Cowe, defending Charlot, told the court in mitigation that he is “a man of good character” who “accepts the criminality on a full facts basis”.
“Whatever happens, this case will not be a trial,” she added.
Judge Parkes KC said the “court will need to know more” before setting a sentencing date for Dec 13.
Concluding the plea hearing, he said: “I shall order a pre-sentence report to understand the background of this case to help with the course of sentence.
“You have surrendered your passport and you shouldn’t apply for any travel documents.
“You know that it will be a custodial sentence.
“You are released on bail so that you can arrange the accommodation of your family after you are evicted from your Army accommodation.”
The Telegraph understands Charlot, who is from Mauritius, no longer serves in the British Army and is now a civilian.
A British Army spokesman said: “Ex-Sergeant Jed Charlot appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on Oct 16 2024 and pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position, theft by employee and possession of criminal property.
“Mr Charlot is due to be sentenced on Dec 13 2024. As he’s no longer a serving member of the Army we won’t comment further.”
