Six people from Wiltshire who were part of £197,000 money laundering and fraud scheme have been sentenced.

The group all appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Friday.

Daniel Robertson, 29, of Thorney Park, Wroughton, had previously pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and to making or supplying articles for use in fraud. He was sentenced to four years and one month imprisonment.

The remaining five defendants were convicted of money laundering:

Michelle Robertson, 51, of Burbage Road, Swindon and Cody Woodward, 24, of Ulysses Road, Swindon, had previously pleaded guilty to the charge.

Michelle Robertson was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, given a five month curfew and 30 days rehabilitation, while Woodward was given a two year community order, 150 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days.

Holly Annabella Ayres, 26, of Thorney Park, Wroughton was found guilty following a trial and was given a 15 month sentence suspended for two years, 200 hours unpaid work, a six month curfew and 20 rehabilitation days.

Liam John Yates, 23, of Ulysses Road, Swindon, was found guilty following trial and was given a 12 month community order, 125 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation.

Suzanne Louise Young, 53, of Thorney Park, Wroughton, was found guilty at a trial and was given an 18 month community order, a four month curfew and 15 rehabilitation days.

A Forfeiture Order was granted in relation to the computers, mobile phones and other electrical equipment used in the fraud.

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will take place at a later date.

The investigation was led by Wiltshire Police's Complex Fraud Team and began in June 2017 when a loan company reported their concerns.

They uncovered a substantial fraud and money laundering scheme, where the main defendant, Daniel Robertson, was applying for loans using false names and stolen identities.

The co-defendants allowed Robertson to use their bank accounts for the loan applications.

Overall, approximately 200 loan applications were made by Robertson, with around a quarter of these applications (worth a total of £51,868) being successful.

Police arrested Robertson and others in the group in August 2017 but our enquiries showed that he continued to make fraudulent applications even after his arrest.

Speaking about Daniel Robertson during today's hearing, the Judge said that it was a determined, well-planned, targeted criminal act using stolen identities, multiple sims and forged and doctored documents.

Det Con Rachael Fairbairn, from the Complex Fraud Team, said: "This has been a lengthy investigation, involving substantial financial and technological enquiries.

"Robertson is a prolific offender who has committed similar offences previously and so we have successfully applied for a Serious Crime Prevention Order upon him following release from prison to help to protect the public from further offending.

"We are also seeking to pursue Robertson for the proceeds of his crime.

"Offenders in these types of cases can often try to minimise their actions by viewing this as a victimless crime, but it is important to recognise that this has caused substantial stress and difficulty for those who have had their identities stolen."