Soldier stole comrades medals then sold them on eBay
A soldier that stole his comrades’ medals as they were battling in Afghanistan then sold them on eBay.
Disgraced Simon Rogers, aged 29, took the coveted service medals after being left behind at the Meeanee Barracks in Colchester, as comrades fought the raging battles in Afghanistan and Iraq. For his crimes, he was sentenced to a three year jail term.
Rogers, who was a corporal with the 2nd Parachute Regiment, became left behind at his barracks back in September 2008 after he had suffered what was believed to be a heart attack. Weeks after however, he was then medically discharged, stole four service medals belonging to his comrades and put them up on auction site eBay. Once military police saw the medals for sale, they then raided his house, which was where they found what has been described as an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of army memorabilia and equipment.
In court, Rogers admitted to four counts of theft that related to the medals, in addition to two counts of stealing body armour and explosives, another count of possessing ammunition and lastly, one for possessing explosive substances.
Before reading out the verdict, Judge Richard Bray commented on how Rogers had caused a mean offence that had caused serious distress to his colleagues. However, although he did commend him for not selling the explosives, he had to point out that the highly dangerous incidents could have occurred if they fell into the wrong hands while in his possession.
Understandably, Rogers will not be able to return to the armed forces when he is eventually released.