SEVEN more people have been sentenced for helping to launder nearly a quarter of a million of pounds defrauded by a man from his employer

In June Aaron Kennett, 28, of Avening Street, was jailed for fraud and money laundering after issuing false refunds to several of his friends, stealing £213,000 from his employer, JB Global Lid, better known on the High Street at Oak Furnitureland.

Overall, the police investigation into the complex case saw 34 people from Swindon arrested or taken to court in connection with the extensive fraud, which saw Kennett issuing refunds of £1,500 at a time to the bank cards of his friends

Phone records and bank transactions revealed the links between Kennett and his associates.

Photos were discovered of members of the group enjoying an around-the-world holiday which had been paid for with the stolen money, while others used it to fund gambling habits.

On Wednesday, seven of those accomplices appeared at Swindon Crown Court for sentencing after being charged with conspiracy to money laundering.

Lewis Turner, 25, from Castle View Road in Chiseldon, also charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs, was sentenced to 2.5 years imprisonment and ordered to pay a surcharge of £170.

Nina Turner, 50, from Castle View Road in Chiseldon received a 12 month community order with 20 rehabilitation days and must pay a £140 surcharge.

Mark Melhado, 51, from Isambard Way in Swindon received a two-year suspended sentence of 16 months in prison, plus 40 hours of unpaid work and 20 days rehabilitation, before being ordered to pay a £120 surcharge.

Marcel Douglas, 28, from York Road in Swindon received a two-year suspended sentence of 10 months imprisonment, plus 100 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £1200 compensation.

Liam Porteous, 28, from Thurney Drive in Swindon received a two-year suspended sentence of 18 months imprisonment, plus 100 hours of unpaid work, and must pay a £140 surcharge.

Robert Porteous, 54 from Crawford Close in Swindon received a 12-month community order 12 months with 100 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £400 in compensation.

Marvin Porteous, 32, from Beaulieu Close in Swindon received a two-year suspended sentence of 14 months imprisonment plus 100 hours unpaid work and must pay a £140 surcharge.

DC Bev Mobey said: “This is the conclusion of a long, complicated case and I am pleased that the remaining seven in this case have been dealt with.

“Thanks to strong collaborative work between us, Oak Furnitureland and Barclaycard we have been able to put together overwhelming evidence of their guilt and bring all 14 before the courts.

“I hope this acts as a deterrent for anyone who may consider this course of action in the future.”