SPEAKING after the case, DC Peter Sutton, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate Fraud Squad, said: "Bowerman's criminality touched the lives of over 250 people and netted him in excess of £7.5 million.
"Some of his victims suffered more than once as he continued to abuse their trust whilst he fraudulently raised funds to feed his insatiable appetite for gambling and to finance a lavish lifestyle way beyond his legitimate means.
"The cynical way in which Bowerman exploited the trust of his victims is the worst example seen by the case office in over 28 years of police service.
"Bowerman has caused considerable financial hardship and loss to his victims from which many are likely never to be able to recover."
Speaking to the Chronicle after the case, one victim in his 40s, who lost £200,000, said: "I will not be in the financial position I was at when he comes out. He's got off very lightly.
"It's all very well setting up charities. What's next – will he discover God?"
Another victim added: "He's had two years to think about how to get his sentence lighter."