Major general jailed for 21 months for Dorset boarding school fee fraud

Nick Welch claimed nearly 50,000 even though his wife spent most of her time at the family home nearby

A senior army officer has been jailed for 21 months for falsely claiming almost 50,000 in allowances to pay for his children's boarding school fees.

Maj Gen Nick Welch, who is believed to be the most senior officer to face a court martial since 1815, was convicted of a single charge of fraud after a four-week trial at Bulford military court in Wiltshire.