A man accused of cheating a pensioner out of tens of thousands of pounds has admitted failing to surrender to custody.

Shaun Salat had been due to appear at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, facing charges of fraud, theft and money laundering.

But when the 32-year-old failed to turn up, Recorder James Watson QC issued a warrant without bail for his arrest and detention.

He was brought before the court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to surrender.

Charles Row, for Salat, said his client is on benefits and did not have the money to get to court last week.

He said he had tried to contact his solicitor on Friday, leaving messages on an answerphone asking what to do before surrendering to the police yesterday morning.

Judge Douglas Field released him on bail to Friday, May 2 and told him not to contact witnesses and to observe a nighttime curfew.

Salat, of Sleightholme Court, Trowbridge, is accused of two counts of theft, six of fraud and two allegations of money laundering.

It is said that he stole £7,915 in cash and withdrew £22,060 from a 65-year-old's bank account in October last year.

He is also said to have transferred £9,500 of the man's money from a genuine bank account to a fraudulent one.

It is said he also applied for loans, and got goods, using the elderly man's bank details in April, October and November last year.

Salat is also charged with stealing a flick knife, car keys, and an ornamental German military dagger from another man in November.