A father and son who conspired to pervert the course of justice by failing to attend court have been sentenced.

Danesh Hussain, 20, and his father, Abid Hussain, 52, appeared at Preston Crown Court on Monday (February 19).

The offences can be traced back to August 11, 2022, when police were called to Birtwistle Street in Accrington following reports that Danesh Hussain and a second man had been threatened with an imitation firearm and a knife, and were robbed.

Abid Hussain later found a mobile phone which belonged to one of the robbers.

In the following months, police arrested and charged Raihan Miah, Hilton Mhavsi, and Benedict Larbi as part of the investigation.

Danesh and Abid Hussain, as well as a third person, did not attend court on the first day of the trial in relation to the robbery matter on January 16, 2023.

Enquiries found they had instead flown to Pakistan.

The case was adjourned until January 24, with Abid Hussain attending on this occasion, though Danesh Hussain and a third person did not attend, meaning prosecutors were unable to offer any evidence.

Mhavsi, Miah, Larbi, and two others were acquitted of conspiring to commit robbery.

Further enquiries revealed a conspiracy between Miah, Wahid Hussain, Hilton Mhavsi, Sandrah Mhavsi, and Nabid Uddin to conspire together with Abid and Danesh Hussain to pervert the course of justice.

There were communications with phones in prison – largely attributed to Hilton Mhavsi – to third parties including Mhavsi’s sister Sandrah, Wahid Hussain, and Uddin.

Sandrah Mhasvi facilitated her brother’s communication with others outside prison, including between Hilton and Danesh Hussin over Snapchat.

Miah and Larbi were aware of and contributed to the conspiracy from inside custody.

Frances Howard, defending Danesh Hussain, said his client was ashamed of his actions and finally recognised the seriousness of them.

“He apologies to the court, the Crown, and the police for the collapse of the first trial, and to his mother and his family for his behaviour,” Mr Howard said.

Jason Smith, for Abid Hussain, said his client had one blemish to his character, a 2008 conviction for battery, and it was “wholly irrelevant” to this matter, which the judge accepted.

He said: “He will spend his time in prison very much worried about what will happen to him.”

Danesh Hussain, of Birtwistle Street, Accrington, and Abid Hussain, of Wellington Street, Accrington, were found guilty of offences of perverting the course of justice.

Judge Darren Preston, sentencing, said: “Offences such as these are serious. If people like you find themselves persuaded, the entire justice system would collapse and violent gangs would be able to do what they wish.

“It’s a serious shame two men have effectively started a criminal career in such serious circumstances, having led two blameless and positive lives.”

Addressing Abid Hussain, Judge Preston said: “Your continued lies are rather undermined by the version of events given in your son’s pre-sentence report. You offer not s shred of understanding or remorse for your actions.”

Abid Hussain was sentenced to three years in prison, while Danesh Hussain was sentenced to two years and three months in a young offenders institute.

Two other defendants in this case, Hilton Mhavsi and Benedict Larbi, have already been sentenced.

Mhavsi, 27, of Trotwood, Chigwell, Essex, was found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and two counts of unauthorised possession of a device capable of transmitting or receiving images, sounds, or information by electronic communications.

He was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison.

Larbi, 28, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and was sentenced to five years in prison.

The remaining defendants will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday, February 23.