A DEBT-ridden security manager who forged his wife's signature on a document giving him ownership of their home has been jailed for nine months at Worcester Crown Court.

The property in Greenfields, Southcrest, Redditch, was about to be re-possessed when 55-year-old Albert Bough embarked on dishonesty, said Miss Catherine Spedding, prosecuting.

He signed a Land Registry notice of transfer form in her name and spent £10,000 re-mortgaging the house. He lied that he had paid her £35,000 for her share of the property.

Bough, now living at Bredon House, Studley Road, Redditch, pleaded guilty to using a false instrument with intent between May and August 2004.

The couple were married in 1997 and bought the Greenfields house for £68,000. But they separated in 2003 and divorce proceedings began. Mrs Bough moved out.

During correspondence between solicitors, it transpired that Bough forged the document on May 26, 2004, said Miss Spedding. The house was eventually sold for £120,000 and Mrs Bough should have received £25,000, half the equity.

Andrew Davidson, defending, said Bough had been struggling with debt and had made an unsophisticated attempt to retain possession of the property. Some of the money from the re-mortgage had been used to pay off joint debts, including the cost of his mother-in-law's funeral.

Judge Andrew Geddes said that Bough was bound to be caught. "It was a hopeless venture which involved considerable dishonesty," he added.

"The reason for custody is, in part, to deter others."