A retired army major has been jailed after he and his wife defrauded investors in companies they ran of nearly $1 million.
George McIntyre, 54, was jailed for three years and three months, after being convicted at the Christchurch District Court on two charges of fraud.
Judge Raoul Neave said McIntyre used his army background to inveigle people into his investment scheme and misled them with worthless guarantees.
Investors lost a total of $996,341.
McIntyre blamed his former wife Jennifer McIntyre for the fraud. She is serving a jail sentence of two years and eight months after pleading guilty to the charges in August.
Judge Neave told McIntyre he had wrought considerable devastation. One victim impact statement said it was gut-wrenching to have money stolen by a trusted friend.
