A retired Army major general has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for fraudulently claiming £48,000 in boarding school fees for his children. Nick Welch, 57, was convicted after a court-martial found he dishonestly claimed the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) by stating he lived in London, while his wife actually resided near the schools in Dorset.
The CEA is designed to allow children to remain at the same school when a serving parent is posted elsewhere. It cannot be claimed if the spouse spends more than 90 days per year away from the military home. The prosecution argued that Welch's wife, Charlotte, spent most of her time at a cottage in Blandford Forum, close to Clayesmore School and Hanford School, where the children attended.
Judge Advocate General Alan Large stated that the Army relies on senior officers to set an example, and Welch's actions had the potential to erode discipline and morale. Welch, who served with distinction in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan, was also dismissed from the Army retrospectively, losing his rank benefits.
Welch's defence argued that the CEA system was a 'mess' and not strictly enforced, but the judge noted his dishonesty. Welch expressed remorse and acknowledged he had not taken enough care. He will serve half his sentence before release on licence.
