Overview

• Between 2021 and May 2024, Staff Sergeant Andrew Oakes abused his role as financial administrator of the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion to divert £336,448 of public funds.
• He spent the money on luxury vehicles including three Teslas, a Mini Cooper and a Nissan Qashqai as well as Apple products, a hair transplant and £16,500 on 'adult services'.
• Oakes falsified bank statements, utility bills and mileage records and authorised his own compassionate and medical leave to claim pay to which he was not entitled.
• The fraud came to light in May 2024 after his extended unauthorised leave prompted an internal investigation that uncovered 28 government cheques paid into his personal account.
• He was jailed for three and a half years on June 13, 2025, and an October Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will decide whether any of the stolen funds can be reclaimed.