A COUPLE who were involved in staging a fake armed robbery at a pub have admitted carrying out the crime.

Christopher Sigsworth made off with thousands of pounds from The Pelican at Froxfield after his partner Stephanie Brown claimed there had been a raid.

The couple had been due to stand trial on a charge of conspiracy to steal from the pub, which used to be owned by former children's TV favourite Johnny Morris.

But, before a jury could be sworn in on Tuesday, Sigsworth, 29, pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of theft of £2,685.

After 23-year-old Brown was told she would not face immediate jail if she admitted intentionally assisting in an offence, she too pleaded guilty.

Judge Tim Mousley QC indicated that any jail term the mum received would be suspended.

She admitted she had pretended an armed robbery had taken place at The Pelican Inn on February 6, when it had not.

Swindon Crown Court was told that since the incident the couple, who used to live in Little Bedwyn, have moved back to Salford. They have a child and Sigsworth has another with a former partner.

Simon Goodman, for Sigsworth, said his client was currently in work and his employer was aware of the matter and prepared to write a reference for him.

Michael Butt, for the Crown, said they would not be seeking a trial on the conspiracy charge.

The judge adjourned the case to a date to be fixed and released the pair on bail so the probation service can compile pre-sentence reports.