POLICE say they will recover as much money and assets as possible for an Usk charity betrayed by its treasurer.

Former Welsh guard William Pritchard, 58, of Cwmoody, Pontypool, was jailed for 14 months on Wednesday after admitting fraud.

The court heard he signed over a number of cheques to himself or his wife between February and July 2008 while acting as treasurer and a trustee of Usk Castle Limited 2001.

Prosecutor James Wilson said the volunteer-run charity raises money for work to the fabric of Usk Castle and to improve public access to it. Discrepancies in the charity’s accounts were uncovered last year and reported to the police. When he was arrested, Pritchard said his wife had no knowledge of the transactions.

Pritchard’s barrister, David Webster, said Pritchard had suffered financial disaster in 2001 and tried to find alternative solutions to his money problems, but admitted there had been a breach of trust.

He called Pritchard an “exceptional”

man and said that Pritchard was unlikely to ever recover from the disgrace he has bought upon himself.

Pritchard was jailed for 14 months and a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will take place later this year. Under the act, police and prosecutors have the power to confiscate funds obtained through illegal activities.

Detective Sergeant Tony Bruten, from Gwent Police’s financial crime unit, said: “William Pritchard selfishly used money raised for a worthy cause to fund a lavish lifestyle.

“He took advantage of people and the sentence reflects the callous nature of his crime. Using Proceeds of Crime legislation Gwent Police will look to recover as much money and assets as possible for Usk Castle Ltd.”