AN Army fraudster who stole almost £1million had a lifestyle “straight out of Love Island”, a court heard.
Cpl Aaron Stelmach-Purdie, 33, was described as a “vain, vacuous narcissist” for splurging thousands of pounds on designer shoes, luxury watches, cosmetic surgery and a top end Range Rover.
The admin clerk at Regents Park Barracks – which was described as a “very classified” counter terrrorism base – made hundreds of bogus claims for flights food and allowances jurors at Southwark Crown Court were told.
Jurors were told they “were not allowed to know soldiers’ names or their regiment” because their work was “very hush hush”.
But they were told that Cpl Stelmach-Purdie was a “Walter Mitty character who lived in a fantasy world,” which he funded by exploiting those near to him.
When police raided his home they found nine pairs of Christian Louboutin shoes, four flashy watches and a Louis Vuitton luggage set.
He also travelled to Turkey for teeth whitening, hair transplants and abdominal implants to give him a six-pack.
Jonathan Rose, defending, said: “He had all the trappings of wealth, plenty of money to indulge in cosmetic procedures, teeth whitening. It was something straight out of Love Island.”
Stelmach-Purdie, of Oldham, Gtr Manchester, and five others have admitted fraud. Three more deny involvement. The trial continues.
