A FORMER soldier told a jury he had no idea his partner had helped to fund their lifestyle by stealing cash or vouchers from her employers Asda.

Alistair Gordon Lobban said Jennifer Ward had always had savings during their relationship and she was better with money so he had let her deal with their finances.

“I never discussed money with her, I just went along with the flow,” he told Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

The prosecution claim the couple spent hundreds of thousands of pounds beyond their declared incomes and he must have known or suspected they were living on the proceeds of her dishonesty.

Lobban, 52, of Coppins Farm House, Wigginton Road, York, denies entering into or being concerned in a money-laundering arrangement between January 1, 2004 and 24 September 2010.

The jury has heard that Ward has admitted theft and possessing gift vouchers for use in fraud. Vouchers with a face value of more than £200,000 were found in their home by police.

Lobban told the court he spent 12 years in the army and met Ward a couple of years before he left.

They bought a house together in Middlecroft Drive, Strensall, but later moved to her family home which Ward inherited after the death of her mother and they rented out their Strensall house.

He told the jury he had had a drink problem since about the age of 14.

He said: “I’m useless with money and she used to take it off me because she knew I would spend it on drink.

“Jenny has always had money as far as I know since I met her I didn’t think anything of it.”

Paul Williams, his counsel, said: “Did any of her expenditure seem suspicious to you?”

“Not at all,” replied Lobban.

He told the jury he was not aware Ward had stolen money or gift vouchers from Asda.

Mr Williams asked Lobban: “We have heard a large number of vouchers were found secreted around the house. What knowledge did you have of this?”

Lobban replied: “None at all.”

Under cross-examination by Nadim Bashir, prosecuting, Lobban agreed he had lied to police in interview about his own earnings during the period because he was concerned about wages he had earned without paying tax.

He said he did not pay attention to what money was in which account or on the money spent on shopping or credit cards He said: “I have no interest in money.”

The trial continues.