A FORMER soldier who enjoyed high living on the proceeds of his partner’s dishonesty against her employers, ASDA, has been convicted of money laundering.

Alistair Gordon Lobban claimed to know nothing about Jennifer Ward’s theft of cash or gift vouchers while she worked for the supermarket giant in their cash office. He said he thought she was just “good with money”.

But yesterday Lobban, 52, was unanimously found guilty by a jury at Leeds Crown Court of entering into or becoming concerned in a money-laundering arrangement between January 1, 2004 and 24 September, 2010.

The jury of seven men and five women heard during the three-day trial that when police searched the couple’s home at Coppins Farm House, Wigginton Road, York, ASDA gift vouchers with a face value of more than £200,000 were discovered. Officers also found £30,000 in cash in the house, £10,000 of which was in a drawer near the front door in which Lobban said he had not looked because it was his partner’s “underwear drawer.”

Over the six-year period the couple had spent more than £320,000, including £157,000 run up on Ward’s Marks & Spencer card.

Inquiries revealed they had spent £98,000 on entertainment and travel including £3,700 on theatre tickets and thousands of pounds booking the best room at their favourite hotel, the Star Castle, in the Scilly Isles.

They also bought a timeshare week at a holiday cottage in the Scilly Isles costing about £30,000.

Lobban told the jury he never discussed money with Ward and “just went along with the flow.”

Sentence on him was adjourned until next month for a pre-sentence report to be prepared on him when Ward, who has admitted theft and possessing the gift vouchers for use in fraud, will also be sentenced.

Judge Tom Bayliss QC told Lobban the fact he was doing that and bailing him should not be taken as any indication of sentence.

“All options, including custody, are available.

“I do want to know more about you before making a decision on what sentence to pass,” said the judge.