A WINCHESTER man must pay back almost £150,000 after stealing from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Cadet Force.

Thomas Meggison, of Rockbourne Road, Harestock, was given a 21-month suspended sentence in June after he pleaded guilty to fraud.

The ex-army major stole a total of £102,699.80 from the cadet force's account, which he had been in sole charge of.

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Meggison, 62, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Friday December 8, where he was ordered to pay £145,543.46, under the Proceeds of Crime Act. 

From this amount, £108,256.23 will be paid in compensation to the cadet force. 

Judge Adam Feest KC told Meggison that it must be paid within three months, and any default on the payment would result in a three-year prison sentence.