Help for Heroes fraudster faces jail after stealing £300,000 from charity

Christoper Copeland. The judge said it was "difficult to imagine a fraud with greater aggravating features"
Christoper Copeland. The judge said it was "difficult to imagine a fraud with greater aggravating features"
CLAIRE HAYHURST / PA

A charity fundraiser who sent teams of collectors around the country to raise money for Help for Heroes has admitted stealing more than £300,000.

Christopher Copeland, 52, delivered his volunteer collectors to supermarkets and shopping centres in former military vehicles decked out with Help for Heroes livery. But Exeter crown court heard that he was using the cash raised to support his failing garage business.

The scam was discovered when one volunteer became suspicious and went to the police. Today Copeland admitted one charge of fraud for dishonestly obtaining the money between February 1, 2010, and September 17, 2011. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of concealing criminal property by hiding the proceeds of his bogus collections.

The judge warned Copeland that he faces