Pro rata, the amount of ex Forces people compared to civvies, who use homeless shelters in Lincs and Peterborough or who sofa surf and who have not had personal failings addressed (for lots of reasons) is frightening. And they are not just stereotypical alcoholic ORs.
This guy will have his ('75 I imagine) pension affected (apart from his GMP) and that will impact on his dependents. He might also become a burden on the state and whilst I am not excusing him (I am not a hemp underpant wearing, latte sipping bedwetter), this may punish and create an example of him but it may well also create hardship to those who are not deserving of it, and just increase and shift liability elsewhere.
Like I said, I'm not excusing or justifying doing nothing.. just consider doing some things differently.