Tri-Service
Soldier Spends £4.5k At Strip Club On Colleague’s Card
A Grenadier Guardsman spent more than £4,500 on champagne and private dances at a strip club using another soldier’s credit card.
The Daily Mail reported that Thomas McLaughlin, along with two colleagues, convinced Matthew Massey to lend them the card in the early hours of 5 November so they could withdraw £20.
They left Wellington Barracks in Westminster and got a taxi to the Sophisticats club, where they ran up a bill totalling £4,656.10.
Later that day McLaughlin, who has performed ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace, was confronted by Mr Massey who found his cards and receipts from the club in Marylebone in his trousers.
McLaughlin reportedly said he couldn't remember what had happened and admitted to theft at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
He was handed a 12-month community order and told to carry out 95 hours of unpaid work and to repay the money to Mr Massey.
The amount of unpaid work is significant as the Guardsman would likely have been dismissed from the Army if he was told to do more than 100 hours.
McLaughlin must also pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
