A FATHER of two who served his country during "an exemplary career" in the RAF has been sent to prison for defrauding New College Swindon out of government money meant for training and apprenticeships.

Leonard Hay of Cochran Close, Churchdown pleaded guilty to defrauding the college of nearly £43,000 when he appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday where he was sentenced to 15 months behind bars.

Recorder Judge Jamie Tabor QC told Hay: "You served your country for many years in the RAF in a difficult field and your long record is exemplary.

"You have many glowing references.

"You did not commit this offence to fund a lavish lifestyle but your children were in a pickle and you wanted to help them out.

"But although caring parents will do all they can for their children you stepped way over the line with a devastating result at the other end.

"This was not a momentary act but 13 months of fraud to obtain money.

"You pleaded guilty instantly and I will give you maximum credit for that."

Hay was the manager of his own one-man company Update, Training and Vocational Services (UTVS), based in Churchdown at his home address.

In 2012 New College Swindon (NCS), Wiltshire entered into a business partnership with his company.

NCS were funded by the Skills Funding Agency and passed on 70 percent of the funding to Hay's company, which was contracted to provide vocational apprenticeships and training programmes through the Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards to some 124 students.

Achievement certificates were issued to 44 students between May 28, 2013 and June 16, 2014.

But the director of NCS Anna Fitch realised that the certificates were forgeries and she contacted the police, the court heard.

The 44 students had not completed their apprenticeships and Hay had pocketed the funding – some £42,863 in total.

The court heard that a Proceeds of Crime Application is pending to confiscate as much of the money as possible from Hay.