The founder of a struggling horse sanctuary was today facing jail for her part in stealing £48,000 from the charity.

Brenda Wilkes has admitted a fraud conspiracy and has been warned by a judge that "all options" are open - including a prison term.

The warning came after a jury took less than three hours to clear her husband Alan Wilkes, 57, of Pembrokeshire, and Janet Farmer, 42, of Alfred Gardens, Wickford, of allegations linking them to the theft.

On hearing the verdict Mrs Farmer burst into tears and left the dock to hug her husband who has sat through every day of the two and half week trial.

Mr Wilkes was too overcome with emotion to comment following the verdict and he walked out of the dock and sat down with his head in hands, breathing a sigh of relief.

The prosecution had alleged that Mr Wilkes had entered into a conspiracy to defraud the Pitsea-based Essex Horse and Pony Society between March 1996 and April 2003 with his wife Brenda.

It was alleged he knew that several names of workers paid by the sanctuary were false and that he put up his pay without consulting the board of trustees, as well as paying himself an extra salary as sick pay while his wife was ill.

The case against Mrs Farmer was that she took money in a false name knowing that it was illegal to do so.

However, the jury believed the case for the defence and both defendants were exonerated and freed.

Brenda Wilkes has admitted conspiracy to defraud and former trustee Jacqueline Hudson, 40, of Cotelands, Basildon, has admitted four counts of false accounting.

Both will be sentenced on March 18.

Judge Adrian Copper, in adjourning sentencing of Brenda Wilkes and Hudson, said: "I am adjourning for pre-sentence reports, but I am keeping the full range of options, including custody, open."

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