A judge has delayed the sentencing of five men who have pleaded guilty to a series of telephone frauds, Essex Police have said.

The men pleaded guilty to being involved in a series of phone frauds in which they posed as police officers to trick their victims out of thousands of pounds.

Two of the 10 offences took place in Essex, while one attempted theft took place in Felixstowe.

Mohammed Miah, 21, of Coopers Lane, Kings Cross, Muhammad Ahmed, 22. of Hemingway Close, Gospel Oak, Motahir Rahman 23 of Kiln Place, Kentish Town, Dedar Ali, 20, of Cressfield Close and NW5, Mohammed Hussain 23, Malden Crescent, NW1 all admitted conspiracy to defraud between March and July.

According to Essex Police, they were told today by Judge Bright at St Albans Crown Court that he felt there was insufficient time to consider sentences due to the significant nature of the offences and the degree of sophistication involved.

He adjourned the hearing to Friday, December 12.

A sixth member of the group Salam Uddin, 18, of Hemmingway Close, Gospel Oak, admitted a separate charge of conspiracy to defraud at Cirencester, Gloucestershire on January 4.

He was given a six month prison sentence.