TWO directors of a Witham business have been sentenced for their involvement in bribing a member of Royal Household staff.

BSI Nordale director Aseai Zlaoui, 41, of Baker Way, sobbed as she was handed a 12 month suspended sentence for conspiracy to make corrupt payments, and ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work within that time.

BSI Nordale director Christopher Murphy, 56, of Purcell Road, was also sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for conspiracy to make corrupt payments.

The pair, along with four others, were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court today after two trials where they were found guilty of counts including conspiracy to make corrupt payments, conspiracy to commit fraud and converting or transferring criminal property.

When sentencing Zlaou, Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said he had never seen character references such as those provided by Zlaoui's family, friends and colleagues, adding they "paint a picture of a decent, hard-working woman who would never agree to bribing anyone".

Ronald Harper was deputy property manager responsible for maintaining the Queen's main London home as well as St James's Palace, Clarence House and Windsor Castle, from 1994 until he was suspended in 2012.

The 64-year-old from Sudbury accepted more than £100,000 in bribes and gifts from the directors of companies who were then given large contracts for maintenance of the historic buildings.

He was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to make corrupt payments and jailed for five years.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "From the moment allegations against Ron Harper came to light, we worked closely with Leicestershire Police, providing evidence which helped lead to his conviction.

"While this was an isolated case, it has reinforced the Royal Household's broader commitment and determination to maintain good governance and prevent corruption."

Also sentenced were MPS director Steven Thompson, 62, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make corrupt payments and fraud by abuse of position, was jailed for 18 months.

Alan Rollinson, 67, of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex was given 12 months suspended for two years for converting or transferring criminal property and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

Glynn Orridge, 67, from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, who pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position, was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work.