THREE businessman brothers have been sentenced after admitting fraudulently obtaining thousands of pounds worth of goods by supplying false business references.

Shabbir Alimamad Jusab, aged 32, Yasin Alimamad Jusab, aged 29, both of Ruby Street, Bolton, and Riaz Alimamad Jusab, aged 29, of Arundel Street, Bolton, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud at an earlier hearing of Bolton Crown Court.

Shabbir and Yasin were yesterday sentenced to 30 weeks in prison and Shabbir was disqualified from being a company director for three years. Riaz was given 240 hours of community service.

Greater Manchester Police's Commercial Fraud Unit was alerted to the brothers' fraudulent activities in December 2003, when concerns were expressed over two companies trading under the names of Nield Corporation CC Ltd and Globespan Lighting.

Nield Corporation Ltd was a legitimate company with a sound trading history.

It emerged two of the brothers had hijacked the company's name and credit rating to obtain credit fraudulently.

Further searches took place at Home Factors in Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, where stolen goods worth around £30,000 were recovered and returned to suppliers, and at UK Enterprises NW Ltd and Mason Lighting.