A self-employed financial adviser has been handed bankruptcy restrictions after he made a series of under-performing investments and lost a client £1.25 million over three years.

Christopher Bladen, of Clemens Place in Kings Hill, abused a position of trust he held between July 2009 and November 2012 through making investments without authorisation.

The 38-year-old had, on several occasions, amended payee details on cheques and paid them into his own bank account.

He went on to use the money to fund his own lifestyle, which included gambling, and to pay off creditors and other clients.

An investigation conducted by the Insolvency Service, a government organisation that deals with financial breakdowns, resulted in him being given a 14-year bankruptcy restriction.

The probe found that over three years, Mr Bladen took at least £858,000 from his client and invested £402,500 without authorisation.

The investments went on to under-perform, causing his client to lose their money.

Andrew Stanley, of the Kent Official Receiver’s office, said: “Mr Bladen held a position of trust whilst acting as a financial adviser. He abused this, choosing to exploit the trust his clients placed in him for his own gain.

The conditions now placed on him mean he cannot act as the director of a company, or take part in any form of management and promotion, until 2027.

Andrew Stanley, of the Kent Official Receiver’s office, said: “Mr Bladen held a position of trust whilst acting as a financial adviser. He abused this, choosing to exploit the trust his clients placed in him for his own gain.

“These actions were of a serious nature and gained the highest period tariff for a bankruptcy restriction.”

Mr Bladen put himself forward to receive the sanctions and has complied fully.

He must also disclose his status to a credit provider if he seeks more than £500, and all business partners must be told about the bankruptcy.

If he changes his trading name, clients must be made aware of his former name and the conditions placed on him.

It also means he is banned from becoming an MP in England or Wales.