AN ARMY corporal was ordered to steal scrap metal by his sergeant major, a court has heard.

Jason Paul Bradley was put in an army vehicle by his superior officer and taken to a nearby scrap dealer, where an account was opened in his name.

The 40-year-old then made numerous visits to Shanley & Sons scrapyard in Warminster, selling tank tracks, wheels and batteries that had been left in a contractor skip on Battlesbury Barracks.

He paid the cheques into his own bank account, paying out half the cash to his co-conspirator.

An investigation by Ministry of Defence police estimated Bradley stole scrap metal worth £2,939.60 from the armed forces between January-December 2013.

Defending, Andrew Watts-Jones told Swindon magistrates on Wednesday Bradley had confessed to the crime as soon as he was confronted by his commanding officer. The major had received an anonymous letter and phone call telling him that five men had been stealing scrap.

Bradley was a soldier with an exemplary record who is just a year away from retirement. The Yorkshire Regiment corporal, who joined the infantry aged just 18, had served in Kosovo, Iraq and Northern Ireland and will soon be sent on deployment to Estonia.

Despite the thefts, officers described him as a trustworthy, diligent and jovial. Maj JS Carr said: “As a mature and senior member of the company he is admired and highly regarded by many for his experience and engaging personality.” Capt DT Sturley described the thefts as an 'error of judgement'.

Mr Watts-Jones said: “The offences are against the army and they are still saying this is a fine man and they rate him highly.”

The court was told Bradley, who works in an administrative role in the regiment, was initially recruited to the scheme by his sergeant major.

Mr Watts-Jones told magistrates: “His immediate boss one day put him in a military vehicle, and took him to Shanley’s without telling him what they were doing and why.

“When they got there, opened an account in Cpl Bradley’s name and then told Cpl Bradley what he was doing from now on. It was presented to him as an order.”

He said that man has since been commissioned into another regiment and is now a captain, adding: “He has not been prosecuted because he is too clever.”

Mr Watts-Jones was scathing of the senior NCOs involved in the alleged conspiracy, who are said to have taken advantage after Cpl Bradley was left indebted when his wife divorced him. “Frankly, the people who inveigled Bradley into this saw him coming,” he said. “They knew him well. They were his immediate bosses. They must have been aware of his problems at the time.

“Cpl Bradley did not enjoy what he was doing. It’s fair to say the money was welcome, but he is an honest and upstanding solder. It didn’t sit right and he didn’t like it.”

The magistrates fined Bradley, who is now likely to face an Army court martial, £524. He must also pay a £52 victim surcharge and costs of £85. No compensation was awarded to the Military of Defence. Chairman of the bench Alison Auvray said: “We are not satisfied the MoD has actually suffered a financial loss in this matter.”

Another soldier suspected of involvement in the conspiracy has also been charged with theft. Mark Connell, 41, of Holme-on-Swale, near Thirsk, pleaded not guilty and has been remanded on bail to appear before Swindon Crown Court on September 14.