Former soldier Simon Buckden faces PTSD and cancer fraud trial

A former soldier is due to stand trial and face charges that he falsely claimed to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and later cancer, since being medically discharged from the army.

Simon Buckden, 42, from Bramley, Leeds, is accused of seven counts of fraud by false representation over claims he lied about his medical and military history.

The former Royal Signalman is accused of committing the offences for personal gain.

Buckden was told he will face the charges in February 2016. The charges relate to a period between October 2009 and December 2013.

Buckden, who served in Iraq, Bosnia, Rwanda and Northern Ireland, was medically discharged from the army in 2001 after nearly 12 years of service.

Following his release, Buckden went on to become a high-profile campaigner for PTSD sufferers after claiming he was diagnosed with the condition in 2005.

He also planned to run 100 marathons in 100 weeks to raise money for Help the Heroes, between 2012 and 2013, during which he revealed he was diagnosed with rectal cancer.

Buckden was chosen to become one of the Olympic torchbearers for the London 2012 Games as a result of his campaigning.