A PAIR of inmates have admitted their role in the mass disturbance at Erlestoke Prison last summer.

Adam Taylor, 25, and Greg Coombes, 27, pleaded guilty to affray and criminal damage when they appeared at Swindon Crown Court.

The pair accepted causing almost £30,000 worth of damage to the category C prison during the disturbance on June 6.

Each appeared before a judge by videolink from different prisons, after being transferred to category B establishments following the offences.

Taylor, who is now in HMP Hull, and Coombes, who is in HMP Bristol, both pleaded guilty to the two charges.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said that the sentencing judge would have to see CCTV footage showing about 25 minutes of the disturbance.

He said they had considered charging the men with prison mutiny, but affray was deemed more appropriate.

Judge Tim Mousley QC adjourned the case to a date to be fixed and remanded both in custody until then.

When they are sentenced Taylor will be brought to the court but Coombes will appear by videolink, avoiding both being in the dock together.

Disturbances at the prison saw 130 inmates transferred to nearby jails after two wings were put 'out of commission', the prison officers' union said.

The Ministry of Justice said at the time no-one was hurt in 'two separate incidents' but added there had been 'some minor structural damage'.