FORMER Surrey Police Chief Inspector Tanya Brookes pleaded guilty to a string of fraud offences on Monday.

Brookes, 46, from Godalming, had previously been convicted of 25 counts of fraud by a jury following a four week trial that concluded at Winchester Crown Court on February 28.

A second trial was due to start this week but Brookes entered guilty pleas to eight counts at the start of proceedings. A further five charges were ordered to lie on file. A further two charges of acting with intent to prejudice/defraud HM Revenue and Customs, which were due to be heard at a third trial will now also lie on file.

The 33 fraud offences for which Brookes was convicted included illegally obtaining financial benefit from several High Street retailers, insurance fraud and travel/holiday fraud.

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.