Billericay Town FC cheerleader Rebecca Batchelor (pictured outside court) avoided jail after spending her ex-boyfriend's scam money on holidays and shopping sprees

A cheerleader has avoided jail for using thousands of pounds her ex-boyfriend conned out of vulnerable pensioners on her 'lavish' lifestyle.

Rebecca Batchelor, 21, who runs the Billericay Town FC cheerleading squad, was tried alongside her former boyfriend Anis Ben-Sghaier, 25, for their roles in the £230,000 money laundering scam.

Ben-Sghaier and his brother Amin, 27, claimed to work for a company called AJ Auctioneers, tricking their victims into paying thousands in 'fees and taxes' on fake investments.

Batchelor hit the headlines earlier this year after her team were sacked for 'distracting players' with their routines at the Essex football ground. They were subsequently re-instated.

The model would use the money on eating out, expensive club nights, holidays and cosmetic surgery procedures, a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

As part of the scam, Batchelor, known locally as Bekka, would have funds transferred into her account, which on one occasion was used on shopping spree and a £517 lunch in London, reports Essex Live.

The jury was read Whatsapp conversations between her and Ben-Sghaeier, which outlined details of people likely to fall for the scheme.

One read to the court said: 'Woooooo, shopping time. Omg hahahaa I am joking.'

A police and National Crime Agency investigation linked the stolen funds to accounts held by the two Ben-Sghaier's, their younger brother Bilal, 23, Batchelor and and Amin's former lover, Beau Bown, 27.

The 21-year-old (pictured) hit the headlines earlier this year after her team were sacked for 'distracting players' with their routines at the Essex football ground. They were subsequently re-instated

Sentencing at Chelmsford on Thursday, Judge Morgan told Batchelor: 'I hope as time goes on you can reflect on your behavior.

'I have read a great deal about you in the papers, not all of it throws a good light upon you as an individual, you are to a degree too naive, you had many advantages at your age [others] don't have - had a business and a good family.

The model (pictured) spent £517 on one lunch out in London, a court heard

'When you found out what Anis was up to you didn't stop, you carried on.

'One has to read the Whatsapp messages of how and when you [described yourself] to fund a nice and lavish lifestyle that money belonged to others, of people who could ill afford it.'

Prosecuting, Sarah Przybylska said Batchelor and Amin Ben-Sghaier's former lover Beau Bown, 27, were happy to spend the cash.

The judge said the online messages showed Batchelor in a 'rather awful light', while her defence lawyer argued on behalf of her 'age, naivety and good character'.

The model, of Helena Road, Rayleigh, Essex, was given a 12-month suspended sentence, suspended for a year and a half.

She will also have to carry out 200 hours unpaid community work and pay a victim surcharge.

The decision on how much she will have to repay has been adjourned to a later date.

Her ex-boyfriend Anis Ben-Sghaier , 25, of Chelsea Way, Brentwood, Essex, was branded a 'lead player' in the scam and given a total of five years behind bars, including six months for intending to supply cannabis.

She would use the money on eating out, expensive club nights, holidays and cosmetic surgery procedures, a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court heard

His younger brother Amin was not in court, but has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit fraud and will be sentenced on December 19.

Anis Ben-Sghaier's ex-girlfriend Beau Bown, 27, of Kitson Way, Harlow, Essex, was spared jail, escaping with 80 hours community service.

The Ben-Sghaier's younger brother Bilal was also in court for his part in the scam. He was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Their father Mohamed was also there on a cannabis charge, he was given a conditional discharge for intent to supply.

Cathereen Welch, of Lamplighters Close, Waltham Abbey another ex-girlfriend of Anis Ben-Sghaier, denied coverting criminal property, but she was found not guilty.

Batchelor (pictured) of Helena Road, Rayleigh, Essex, was given a 12-month suspended sentence, suspended for a year and a half