Backwell man Gareth Barrett stole the identity of a former Army officer with the same name as him to commit fraud. And it proved a "deeply disturbing" ordeal for his victim, a court heard.
Barrett, 40, of Moorfield Road, pleaded guilty to five charges of fraud as well as making an untrue statement for the purposes of obtaining a passport and insurance. He also admitted possessing an identity document with improper intent.
Judge Euan Ambrose jailed him for 21 months. He made a deprivation order involving identity documents and all documents seized relating to the complainant Gareth Edward Barrett. A victim surcharge of £140 was imposed.
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Matthew Jackson, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court prior to 2016 Barrett began using the complainant's details and claimed he was a former Army officer, as well as claiming other official titles and jobs in the UK armed forces and intelligence services. The complainant heard about Barrett when he was shown a website styling itself the "Walter Mitty Hunters Club".
Mr Jackson said the first direct impact came in June 2017 when the complainant received a demand for £379.40 from a debt collection service for gym membership at Flex Fitness Academy. Correspondence relating to that "debt" included an application form containing the complainant's date of birth and home address.
The court heard Barrett managed to obtain the complainant's military service records and used the complainant's details to obtain a passport. He also used the complainant's details to make a false insurance statement and apply for a Barclay's bank account, as well as to register at Nailsea medical centre.
In further deceptions Barrett used the defendant's details to get membership to the Royal Engineers Association and Scouting Association - as well as obtaining a counterfeit driving licence in the name of the complainant.
The complainant made an impact statement stating: "I have found this whole ordeal deeply disturbing. The way in which the defendant has invasively sought to steal my identity, whilst openly displaying the results through various social media channels, has caused me untold concern."
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