A former sales consultant who defrauded his employers out of about £200,000 is facing the prospect of a jail term.

Aaron Kennett made numerous false refunds in the accounts of friends, as well as his own, over a 14 month period.

The 28-year-old had been due to stand trial on a charges relating to money taken from Oak Furniture Land, based in South Marston.

But before a jury could be sworn in at Swindon Crown Court he changed his plea to admit what he had done from July 2014 to September 2015.

And he also admitted conspiracy to use criminal property, in the form of money taken from the firm in the form of bogus refunds between March 2014 and November 2015.

At earlier hearings 13 people admitted money laundering charges after their bank accounts were used for the stolen cash.

Kennet, formerly of Clifton Street but now of Avening Street, Gorse Hill, admitted fraud and conspiracy to use criminal property.

He abused his position as sales support consultant at JB Global Ltd, trading as Oak Furniture Land, to defraud the company.

Judge Jason Taylor QC adjourned the case to June 15 to link up with his co-defendants and released him on bail.

The 11 men and two women, who last year admitted the money laundering charge of conspiracy to use criminal property, were also warned they could be jailed.

They are said to have handled sums ranging from less than £2,000 to more than £50,000.

Lewis Turner, 25, of Castleview Road, Chiseldon, is said to have received £51,835.8l7 in his bank account.

Liam Porteous, 28, of Thurney Drive, Grange Park, Swindon is said to have had £42,073.95 pass through his.

Mark Melhado, 50, of Greencote House, Isambard Way, £37,952.73, and Marvin Porteous, 32, of Beaulieu Close, Toothill, £18,887.61.

Marcel Douglas, 28, of 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, 25, of Whitehill Close, Ramsbury, £5,238; and Jamie Nichols, 25, of Egdon Close, £3,704.50,.

Amara Holgate, 21, of Courtenay Road, Walcot, £1,841.23; and Luke Paterson, 30, of Whitehill Close, Ramsbury, £2,145.20.

The two final defendants to admit the charges are Connor Satchell, 25, of Langford Crescent, and Lewis Maynard, 26, of Conisborough, Toothill.

JB Global Limited, which traded as Oak Furniture Land, was founded by Jason Bannister in 2002.

It is now one of the UK’s leading online retailers and has its UK headquarters in Swindon on the South Marston industrial estate.