AN army veteran has been spared jail for fraud offences, after magistrates acknowledged the effects his service in Afghanistan had had on him.

Nicholas Harvey, of Moss Lane in Winnington, admitted using more than £9,600 from a landscaping company credit card to fund a gambling addiction.

The bench at Warrington Magistrates Court imposed a suspended sentence on Friday, saying it was satisfied that Harvey, 28, was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of his time in Afghanistan.

They also recognised that Harvey was making efforts to kick his gambling addiction, and to repay some of the money.

The court heard that, between July 12 and October 30 last year, Harvey used a credit card belonging to TIMS Landscaping to make a gain of £9,405.22 for himself.

Between October 25 and 30, he used a TJS Landscapes Ltd credit card to gain £222.17.

He was sentenced to a total of eight months in jail, suspended for two years months, and must pay £3,721.17 in compensation.

He must also complete a 25-day rehabilitation order within two years, as well as 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.