Man who faked Army career jailed

A MILITARY historian who faked a career in the Parachute Regiment was jailed for three years yesterday.

For decades, Jack Livesey, 57, told friends, colleagues and even family he had served with distinction. He also claimed on his website he had advised on films Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers. In reality his only stint was in the Catering Corps between 1971 and 1974.

His Army lies came to light following his conviction for benefit fraud when he produced references from genuine veterans who had been taken in by him. And this month he was found guilty at Peterborough crown court of perverting justice. Passing sentence yesterday, Judge Nic Madge said: “Much of your life since 1974 has been a lie.”

Roger Harrison, defending, said Livesey had been diagnosed with personality disorders which meant he could not tell “fact from fiction”.

Livesey, of Purley-on-Thames, near Reading, was convicted in 2004 for falsely claiming £30,000 in benefits and gave references from veterans, having claimed he was awarded a bravery medal after serving in the Falklands and Northern Ireland.

His partner Bridget Pollard was herself taken in by his lies. But he had been discharged from the Army in 1974 after he threw himself from a window in Northern Ireland in an apparent suicide attempt.