A Help for Heroes fundraiser, with a string of previous convictions, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after being caught keeping £2,000 of collections for himself.

Thomas Richards (pictured), 27 of Lowell Place, Witney appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday on charges of fraud and theft where it was revealed that he has 45 previous convictions for 83 offences.

The Oxford Mail reports that Judge Mary Jane Mowat described the charity’s vetting process for fundraisers as “ramshackle” and that she said: “The truth of the matter is that you have been a life-long offender – somebody who should never have been let loose with a collection tin.”

But Help for Heroes has hit back saying that its own vetting process helped to bring the offence to light and led to prosecution.

A spokesman said: “Anyone authorised by Help for Heroes to do a street collection must carry their fundraising certificate and each collection is followed up by our dedicated team. Our rigorous processes ensure that if someone attempts to defraud that charity, we catch them, report them to the police and push for prosecution, as illustrated in this case.”

He added: “This one incident undermines the thousands of generous and committed fundraisers across the UK who enable Help for Heroes provide practical and direct support to those who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses while serving our country.”

Richards registered to become a fundraiser in January 2011, but over the next two months spent the money from collections on himself.

Around 400 people register to fundraise for Help for Heroes every day, and collectors have to tell the charity where and when they will be collecting. The charity will investigate if the collection tin has been broken or the amount raised is less than expected.

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