British Soldier sold £75k of equipment ‘attractive to terrorists’ on eBay

A British Army soldier has been jailed after stealing nearly £150,000 worth of military equipment—including items considered valuable to terrorists—and selling them on eBay.

Corporal Tarj Sevier, 32, took a range of Ministry of Defence (MoD) supplies such as night vision goggles, body armour, helmets, and bulletproof plates, Salisbury Crown Court heard.

Prosecutors stated the thefts impacted military readiness, as some soldiers were either deployed without proper protective gear or couldn’t be deployed at all due to missing equipment.

Sevier, a non-commissioned officer based at Larkhill Garrison in Wiltshire with the Royal Logistic Corps, claimed he wasn’t trying to live extravagantly but was attempting to provide a better life for his baby daughter. He said he acted out of resentment, feeling mistreated at work.

He admitted to charges of theft and converting criminal property and received a 32-month prison sentence.

The court was told that Sevier’s thefts spanned from April 2021 over a two-year period. During that time, he issued almost 9,000 items, which never reached the intended soldiers. Notably, 19 items were classed as highly appealing to criminals and terrorists, including night vision devices and ballistic protection gear.

Prosecutor David Tremain revealed that when police searched Sevier’s London home in May 2023, they found so many items they had to return the next day with a van. In total, 46 items were found at his residence, 11 more at his Army lodging, and 120 additional items in a storage unit.

Recovered property was valued at £41,677, while items sold or listed on eBay were worth over £75,000. However, the actual value of the stolen goods was closer to £142,000, as many were underpriced online.

Sevier’s defence lawyer, Chaynee Hodgetts, described him as “naive and misguided,” with only £300 left in his bank and no access to an eBay account. She said the proceeds were spent on basic household needs for his family.

In a written statement to the court, Sevier said he reacted poorly to what he perceived as unfair treatment at work. Judge Timothy Mousley KC estimated Sevier made about £30,000 after eBay fees and highlighted the seriousness of the offence.

The judge described Sevier’s actions as calculated and persistent, stating he had no choice but to impose a custodial sentence. Sevier was handed 32 months for theft and an additional 18 months for converting criminal property, to be served concurrently.