AN illegal money lender has been released on bail by a judge after admitting the illicit trade.
When Harjinder Sandhu, 57, appeared at Swindon Crown Court he admitted carrying out the activity for more than 14 years.
He conducted the lending from his home in Highworth and Marshgate Garage in Stratton, between May 1996 and October 26, 2010.
Sandhu, of Hampton, Highworth, admitted carrying out a consumer credit business without licence.
Two charges of money laundering between February 2003 and October 2010 were dropped by prosecutors before he entered the plea.
His son Tony, 33, of the same address, denied the money lending charge but prosecutors said they would not seek a trial against him.
Judge Douglas Field adjourned the case to December 14 to allow the probation service time to compile a pre-sentence report and released Harjinder on bail.
The pair were arrested at Marshgate Garage, in Stratton Road, on October 26, 2010.
An estimated £200,000 in cash was recovered in a raid on two properties by the South West Illegal Money Lending Team, led by Bristol City Council.
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