A JUDGE has warned 12 people who admitted money laundering that they could be facing the prospect of a jail term.

The 10 men and two women all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use criminal property when they appeared before a judge at Swindon Crown Court.

But they must await the trial of a man who is accused of fraud, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, and the conspiracy charge before they can face sentence.

The other man who cannot be named for legal reasons has pleaded not guilty to abusing his position to defraud the company.

He is said to have made a series of false refunds between August 4, 2014, and September 10, 2015.

He also denied conspiracy to use criminal property between March 24, 2014, and November 3, 2015, in the form of money transfers from the firm.

He is due to stand trial on a date to be fixed next year and has been released on conditional bail until then.

The other 12 who admitted the money laundering offence are said to have handled sums from under £2,000 to in excess of £50,000.

Lewis Turner, 24, of Castleview Road, Chiseldon, is said to have received £51,835.8l7 in his bank account.

Liam Porteous, 27, of Thurney Drive, Grange Park, Swindon, is said to have had £42,073.95 pass through his.

The other defendants and the alleged sums are: Mark Melhado, 50, of Greencote House, Isambard Way, £37,952.73; Marvin Porteous, 31, of Beaulieu Close, Toothill, £18,887.61; Marcel Douglas, 27, off York Road, £14,680.06; Nina Turner, 49, of Castleview Road, Chiseldon, £12,661.15; Robert Porteous, 53, of Crawford Close, Freshbrook, £8,938.83; Chelsea Drayton, 24, of Whitehill Close, Ramsbury, £5,238; Jamie Nichols, 25, of Egdon Close, £3,704.50; and Amara Holgate, 20, of Courtenay Road, Walcot, £1,841.23.

The two final defendants to admit the charges are Connor Satchell, 24, of Langford Crescent, and Lewis Maynard, 26, of Conisborough, Toothill.

Adjourning their case for pre-sentence reports, Judge Tim Mousley QC said: “They should consider all sentencing options including an immediate sentence of imprisonment.”

A fourteenth defendant, Luke Paterson, 29, of Whitehill Close, Ramsbury, who is said to have laundered £2,145.20, was not present for the hearing due to ill health.