A FORMER soldier who posed as his brother-in-law to take out a £9,000 loan has avoided going to jail.

Colin Hall, 31, had fallen into debt and his home had been repossessed. He was so desperate for cash he used his brother-in-law Christopher Wall’s name and details to apply online for a £9,000 loan from Tesco Personal Finance.

When the application form arrived in the post in June 2007, Hall filled it out and returned it.

The defendant, who served in the Army in Iraq and Bosnia, was eventually caught out in March last year when he failed to keep up the £250 monthly repayments and Tesco discovered what he had done.

At Basildon Crown Court yesterday, Recorder Mark Lowe QC sentenced Hall to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months and ordered him to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Explaining his leniency, Recorder Lowe told him: “You have shown considerable shame and remorse, and moreover, you have served your country very well in difficult times in Iraq and Bosnia.”

He said Hall was a man of good character who was trying to rebuild his life, adding: “I do not wish to disturb your current family life.”

Hall, of Hildaville Drive, Westcliff, had admitted fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing.