A fantasist who has been pretending to be a Royal Marine and saying he was collecting cash for Help for Heroes has been told he is facing jail.

Liam O'Brien, 32, who goes by a number of aliases, not only had a commando's uniform but also had a number of pieces of false military ID.

And O'Brien, formerly of Biddestone, near Chippenham, also collected for the services charity, claiming he was a serving soldier, but didn't hand over the money.

O'Brien, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud, handling stolen goods and four charges of possessing an article for use in fraud.

He admitted telling people he was a serving member of HM forces and entitled to collect for Help for Heroes in October and November this year.

Earlier, in April and May, he twice made representations to people that he was in the military with a view to gain by deception.

In the same months he also used bank cards, including to a loan company, when he wasn't entitled to.

During the first week in April he handled stolen documents belonging to the Guyers House Hotel in Corsham containing personal details of manager Neil Glasspool.

He also had a Royal Marine uniform and bogus military ID in the names Sgt Liam O'Brien, Sgt Davis and Sgt Malcolm Porter.

Alex Daymond, defending, said his client had previous convictions for similar matters and knew he was facing a jail term.

He said: "The court may benefit from a pre-sentence report to examine why it is this defendant seems unable to stop committing the same sort of offences."

Judge Tim Mousley QC agreed and adjourned the case to Friday, January 9, and remanded him in custody until then.

He said: "The only reason I am not sentencing you today is that I do want a pre-sentence report just so that I know I have taken into account everything I should before I pass the inevitable custodial sentence, which I must impose."