Liverpool poppy appeal boss stole £20k from collection boxes

The judge added: “To compound matters you sought to blame others for the losses you have caused, casting initial suspicion on them until it became apparent they were entirely blameless.”

When the judge left the bench, cries of “Walter Mitty conman” and “robbing the dead” were heard from the public gallery.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Overend said: “These elderly people would give money to Sean Pullen directly for the Royal British Legion and we have no idea where that money went or how it was spent.

“They usually gave more than what they could afford and were always incredibly generous.

“Our branch is in tatters. Instead of being at the fore of veteran welfare, we are now the laughing stock of the city.”

Pullen’s defence lawyer John Rowan told the court his client had “about £300 in the bank” and “has no assets”.

The court heard the Royal British Legion had brought its own private prosecution at a cost of more than £200,000.

The charity originally reported suspicions to Merseyside Police but the force declined to take the matter further because Pullen had used several different names and they had trouble identifying him.

In a letter, the force told the charity: “As it stands, there are too many gaps we’re unable to fill, the main one being who the suspect truly is.

“This case has been finalised pending further evidence coming to light.”