8:19am Monday 14th March 2011

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/8907084.Calne_couple_face_money_laundering_charge/

Three men and a woman have appeared before a judge accused of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.

Mark Barclay, Katie Dixon, Richard Badger and Christopher Horgan are all accused of being involved in the criminal activity last year.

No charges were formally put to them and they did not enter any pleas during the brief hearing at Swindon crown court.

Barclay, 36, and Dixon, 26, who live together in Hilmarton, near Calne, Badger, of Firecrest View, Dorcan, and Horgan, of Ferndale Road, Swindon, were all released on unconditional bail.

Judge Douglas Field adjourned the case to Friday June 17 when the four are due to enter their pleas.

The conspiracy to defraud relates to a period between the start of last year and Wednesday November 17.

They were arrested following police raids across the county in November last year following a nationwide investigation into the alleged cheating of charities.

The charges relate to an alleged large scale fraud targeting charitable organisations through mail marketing.

Warrants in relation to the inquiry were executed at a number of addresses in Swindon, Calne, a hanger at Wroughton airfield, as well as homes in Hereford and Brighton.