A FINANCIAL adviser from Salisbury who swindled his clients out of £380,000 has been jailed for two years and nine months.

Angus McClymont, of Harper Road, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of fraud by abuse of position between April 2008 and October 2011.

Winchester Crown Court heard on Monday that many of the 40-year-old’s victims, who came from across Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Sussex and Cornwall, were of early retirement age.

Edward Hollingsworth, prosecuting, said: “Some of the victims were existing clients he had given honest advice to, others were referrals and some were obtained through cold calling.

“As well as acting as a financial adviser, he would offer to invest their money for them.”

The court heard the defendant had been going through difficulties in his marriage and his baby son had been suffering health problems.

Trevor Line, defending, said: “His living expenses were exceeding his income.

“The money has not been used to fund an extravagant lifestyle – nothing has been spent on yachts or fast cars.”

He told the court the defendant was of previous good character and had surrendered himself to police as soon as he received a phone call from his employer, adding that he had “cooperated fully with the police investigation”.

Sentencing McClymont on Monday, Recorder Andrew Barnett said: “This is an appalling case of confidence fraud where you as a financial adviser behaved in a thoroughly dishonest way.

“You should be utterly ashamed, you ruined people’s lives I have no doubt.

“You have put back a certain amount but I understand there is still £300,000 outstanding, which is an awful lot of money.”

A statement from one of the victims said: “I gave him, in total, £60,900. This is money I had saved from working hard; doing long hours with a view to saving a deposit for a house.

“I have now lost the majority of the money I gave him and am now starting from scratch to save. I won’t now be getting the house that I was hoping to.”

A confiscation hearing will be heard on December 3. No order was made for costs or compensation.

Following the sentencing, DC Michelle Hilton of Wiltshire Police said: “I am pleased that the victims of this case have seen justice prevail and that Angus McClymont understands the severity of his actions.”