Police investigate theft from war hero (From Oxford Mail)

Police investigate theft from war hero

9:00am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News By Sam McGregor, covering Bicester. Call me on 01869 250197

THE best man of a triple amputee soldier has been arrested on suspicion of stealing tens of thousands of pounds from him.

Former Bicester soldier Alex Stringer’s best man Connor Aldous was arrested over £35,000 allegedly missing from Mr Stringer’s bank account and a £50,000 loan that was said to have never been repaid.

It comes as Mr Stringer – who has regularly come back to Oxfordshire since being injured in Afghanistan – and his wife Danielle are expecting their third child to be born any day.

The couple already have two children, Millie Taylor, four, and Harlie-Rose Stringer, two.

Mr Stringer, a former private with 23 Pioneer Regiment, based at St David’s Barracks, near Bicester, married his childhood sweetheart in July this year.

Connor Aldous, 21, a former school friend, was best man at Mr Stringer’s wedding and helped as he walked down the aisle wearing prosthetic legs.

But last Thursday the 21-year-old, from Essex, was arrested on suspicion of stealing £85,000 from the former soldier.

Earlier this year, Mr Stringer said he and Mr Aldous were planning to set up a bed-and-breakfast business in Spain.

In February this year, Mr Stringer officially opened a new care home in Brackley, and Mr Aldous drove him over for the event. At the time he said: “I’m going into business, I’m investing some money with my school friend Connor Aldous in Spain.

“Before I was injured my only problem was money. Now I haven’t got that problem. I haven’t got legs and an arm, but I’m doing what I used to do. There’s no difference.”

He told a national newspaper he had “trusted” Mr Aldous, who was like a brother.

Mr Stringer lost three limbs in an explosion in Afghanistan which engulfed him in a fireball and left him fighting for his life in January 2011.

The 21-year-old, who now lives in Canvey Island, Essex, had been called out to search for improvised explosive devices as part of a specialist team to locate Taliban booby traps in Lashkar Gar, Afghanistan.

But as he and five comrades stepped out of a safe area, Mr Stringer stood on a bomb.

It is understood Mr Stringer received £800,000 compensation from the Army. He said his disability had not stopped him living life.

Essex Police said: “A 21-year-old man from Grays was arrested on the evening of September 6, on suspicion of theft. He has been released on bail until October 31 while police investigations continue.”

The Ministry of Defence said it was a matter between the two men and the police.