A GARAGE boss with a motoring conviction pretended to be his brother to set up an MOT station, Burnley Crown Court was told.

The court heard that Shafqat Hussain, 33, had a previous conviction for a "serious" allegation and could not have got authorisation to carry out MOTs and issue certificates in his own name.

He duped officials into thinking his brother, who had not broken the law, would be running the business.

Hussain admitted two charges of deception, between August 2002 and May 2003. The defendant, of Manchester Road, Nelson, was given a three month curfew order between 8pm and 6am and was told to pay £300 costs.

Hussain has no previous convictions for dishonesty.

Richard Hunt, prosecuting, said in February 2002 the defendant phoned the Inspectorate in Kirkham, in his own name, asking about the possibility of setting up a garage in Colne.

He spoke to senior inspector Dennis Smith, was asked if he had previous convictions, and he admitted he did.

Hussain then asked about his brother Abid Hussain and was told as long as Abid was in charge there would be no problem.

An application was received in March 2002 to open a test station and named Abid Hussain as the person who would be doing the MOTs. An inspector visited the garage three times, in April, July and August 2002. He thought he was dealing with Abid Hussain but it was the defendant.

In August 2002 he was granted a certificate to perform his own MOT tests. He also obtained a book of test certificates which he could then issue and make money.

The prosecutor said police became involved after an anonymous phone call to the Inspectorate telling them Abid Hussain was not the defendant's real name. Hussain was arrested but made no comment when interviewed.

Ken Hind, defending, said Hussain had a four year old child and another was on the way. His was the only income going into the household but the defendant was not earning a fortune.