A MAN jailed for life for torturing and killing a cannabis farmer was instrumental in bringing to justice a counterfeit money gang, a court was told.

James Stuart Raven (45), of Parnham Close in Radcliffe, had previously worked undercover for the BBC as part of an investigation into a £2.5m counterfeit operation.

Police believe the operation, which spanned the world, was Britain's biggest-ever counterfeit currency crime.

Five people, who were caught after police raided a printing firm in Ashton-under-Lyne in December 2002, were jailed for a total of 21 years at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court for their part in the operation.

Raven is currently serving a minimum of 24 years after being convicted in August of the murder of Brian Waters at his Nantwich home.

Father-of-two Waters (44), was found dead with more than 127 separate injuries at a farmhouse where his children were also being kept hostage in June, 2003.

Raven, an underworld hard man with a string of convictions for violence, was employed by the BBC earning £500 a day to help journalists infiltrate criminal gangs.

He worked on programmes including MacIntyre Uncovered and Crooked Britain, as well as Channel 4's Sleepers, infiltrating gangs involved in car crime, drugs and counterfeiting.

Judge Bernard Lever questioned the BBC's methods and warned them to exercise care when "vetting undercover operatives". At the time of his conviction the BBC admitted they were aware of Raven's past, but believed him to be a reformed man and said that he was not working for them at the time the murder was commited.

Anatasios Arnaouti (37), from Failsworth, was jailed for eight years for conspiracy to make counterfeit currency, conspiracy to pass counterfeit currency and conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

Also for their parts in the conspiracy, David Harper (37), from Liverpool, was jailed for six-and-a-half years, Philip Raynor (48), from Rochdale, was jailed for four years, and Robert Whittaker (42), from Liverpool, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Alison Jane Wyatt (34), from Romiley, was given community service after admitting passing counterfeit currency and possession of counterfeit currency with intent to supply.