One of three alleged conspirators in a courier fraud case has changed his plea to guilty less than a fortnight before he and his co-accused faced trial.

Paul Brown was one of three men from the west of Scotland accused of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, on dates between May 31 and August 15, 2021.

They are accused of posing as fraud investigators and arranging the collection of money and other valuables from conned victims in County Durham.

All three are also alleged to have concealed criminal property, money made from the scam, between the same dates.

(Image: Internet)

Brown, 27, whose address was given as care/of HMP Greenock, in Scotland, and his alleged accomplices, men aged 32 and 40, from Dumbarton and Glasgow, respectively, previously pleaded not guilty to both charges and their cases were scheduled for trial, due to start at Durham Crown Court, on July 29.

But Brown appeared back at the court, via video link from the prison, on Wednesday (July 17), when his counsel, Chris Morrison, asked for the charges to be put to his client once again.

He, this time, changed plea and admitted both offences.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Mr Morrison told Judge Jo Kidd that his client is in prison serving a sentence in the Scottish jurisdiction which is not due to expire until December.

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Judge Kidd told Brown he would be sentenced upon the outcome of the trial of his co-accused, whose case remains listed for July 29.

But she said Brown should appear, at least over the video link from prison, at the start of the trial to make arrangements as to her sentencing powers relating to an inmate already serving a sentence in the Scottish jurisdiction.

She granted Brown technical bail on the Durham matters until then, even though he will remain in custody in Scotland.