A law firm which employed a solicitor found guilty of nobbling witnesses in a Crown Court trial following a £310,000 energy drink scam which fraudulently used the famous Duracell brand name said it was “shocked and dismayed” at his conviction.

Criminal solicitor Majed Iqbal, 32, faces up to five years behind bars after a jury at Hull Crown Court found he abused his position of trust as a lawyer by flying around the world to pay off witnesses for firms ripped off by Bradford businessman Yasar Hussain who pocketed their cash.

Iqbal, of Nelson, was found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice after a seven-week trial and will be sentenced tomorrow.

A spokesman for Petherbridge Bassra, where he worked, said: “The Partners were shocked and dismayed to learn of the conviction.

"They would like to place on record the fact that the activities alleged against Mr Iqbal were carried out by him without the knowledge or involvement of any of the partners or his work colleagues.”