Ex-military clerk who pretended he was a cancer-stricken SAS hero to con well-wishers out of thousands is jailed
A court heard that Simon Buckden, 44, had "an insatiable appetite for attention"
AN ATTENTION-SEEKING ex-military clerk has been jailed after claiming he was an SAS hero and cancer victim.
Simon Buckden had "an insatiable appetite for attention" and fabricated a military service and illness to cheat people out of money.
The 44-year-old also manipulated two girlfriends into staying with him through his web of lies, a court heard.
Buckden claimed he had suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after leaving the army following a decorated career, and also claimed to have infiltrated the IRA in Northern Ireland.
He also claimed to have witnessed horrors in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the 1990s - but he had in fact only worked in a desk job and never fought on the frontline.
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His deception deepened when his relationship with Susanna Domeniconi, also known as Susanna Ravenhill, looked to be coming to an end in 2012.
He told her he had cancer in a bid to stop her from leaving him, as well as making claims about his mental and physical health as a way to get money, a free holiday, free spiritual healing, have a film made about him and attend free courses.
Buckden built up a public profile by taking part in charity work and even set himself a challenge of running 100 marathons in 100 weeks.
Another girlfriend, Louisa Rodrigues, was also told he had cancer.
He even proposed to her shortly after carrying the Olympic Torch in 2012.
Craig Hassall, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court Buckden had an "insatiable appetite for attention".
Buckden conned six victims out of a total of £8,237, the court heard, by preying on their generosity.
Mr Hassall added: "It is clear from the evidence of the defendant's previous partners that he was highly manipulative in his personal relationships as well as with the potential victims of his frauds.
"The defendant assumed a position of power, trust and responsibility when he made himself a representative for those truly suffering from PTSD and cancer.
"He made use of social and traditional media to propagate, distribute and maintain his dishonest misrepresentations about his army career and his health."
Buckden admitted six counts of fraud halfway through his trial.
Jailing him for 16 months, Judge Christopher Batty, said: "You are man who is highly dependent on others, who needs to be liked and has a need for attention, affection and sympathy.
"Each one of these personality traits has been brought to the fore in this case.
"You are a dishonest and manipulative man.
"From 2009 you established a fictional persona - in my view to advance your own prospects in life.
"You portrayed yourself as a decorated soldier.
"You told of your bravery in Northern Ireland, infiltrating the IRA, and of course as we have heard numerous times the baby dying in your arms [in Bosnia]. But you never fought on the frontline.
"You were a military clerk. You left the Army without decoration yet you have stood at the Cenotaphs in Leeds and Newcastle with your SAS beret and medals that you had bought off the internet.
"You insulted every man and woman who has ever worn the uniform of an army.
"If you do have PTSD it is a result of a difficult childhood.
"Initially projecting yourself as the war hero who suffered from PTSD, you needed funds to portray the life you had chosen.
"Your claim about cancer didn't feature until 2012. You had argued with Miss Domeniconi and saw an opportunity to manipulate her and told her two days later you had rectal cancer.
"You arranged to meet her in the cafe in Leeds General Infirmary to reaffirm your claim.
"She was sympathetic and the die was then cast.
"You sought free coaching so you could share your truly inspirational story further.
"How you could stand in front of a true cancer sufferer and lie to them about yourself is beyond me.
"The disrespect you have shown to people who have suffered from cancer is simply breathtaking."
Judge Batty also placed an indefinite restraining order on Buckden.
This will ban him from contacting or posting messages on social media about any of the witness in the case.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Swift said: "Simon Buckden created an elaborate fantasy image of himself as a battle-scarred SAS hero and cancer sufferer to exploit the goodwill and support of a number of people over a long period of time.
"He lied repeatedly, not only to those closest to him but to genuine survivors of trauma and also to the media and the wider public through the extensive publicity he sought to satisfy his own self-importance.
"He seems to have revelled in the sympathy and status that those lies afforded him.
"The monetary gains he made from this deception were not particularly significant but the sense of betrayal his victims and others have felt has been enormous. We hope they will take some comfort from seeing him now have to answer for his actions."
The liar was also slammed by SAS soldier and best-selling author Andy McNab.
He said: "People like Buckden who make these fake claims betray not only our servicemen and women, and veterans, but also the public whose support and encouragement is so crucial to us all doing our jobs.
"It doesn't matter whether he is claiming to be SAS or anybody in the Services, the fact he was using other people's courage, experience and tragedy to gain sympathy and attention is sickening."
Buckden, from Leeds, will return to court in March for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing.