THE wife of a former Bradford councillor who masterminded an immigration scam has been spared prison after the judge heard she was 'influenced and exploited' by her husband.

Zahida Hussain, 53, had 'a very quiet voice' in the household dominated by Khadam Hussain, Bradford Crown Court heard.

He was jailed for nine years last month for playing the leading role in a money-making fraud that duped innocent immigrants and put the reputations of respectable solicitors and estate agents at risk.

Four of his relatives, including three sons recruited to the conspiracy, were also locked up.

The former Conservative councillor, and his wife, both of Box Tree Close, Girlington, Bradford, were convicted of conspiracy to defraud entry clearance officers by the creation and submission of false documents in support of applications for entry into the UK.

Applicants were charged between £200 and £3,000 in the fraud, centred on The Palace, a function venue in City Road, Bradford.

After the guilty verdicts, Zahida Hussain was released on bail for the preparation of a report from the probation service.

Today, she was back in the dock to be sentenced, supported by family members in the public gallery.

Hussain's solicitor advocate, Assumpta O'Rourke, handed Judge David Hatton QC character references and medical reports.

Miss O'Rourke, mitigating, said: "She clearly recognises the seriousness of the offence and that custody is at the forefront of Your Honour's mind."

She told the court the scam was not Hussain's brainchild and she became involved through coercion, exploitation and intimidation.

Hussain had been in the UK for 28 years and had never been in any trouble before.

She wed her 62-year-old husband in an arranged marriage, having never met or spoken to him, and being shown a photo of him taken ten years previously.

She looked after his five children from his first marriage and was carer for his parents.

"Any voice she had was very quiet in the household," Miss O'Rourke said.

She was embarrassed and ashamed and had found it difficult to face others in the community.

Hussain, who sat in the dock in a black headscarf, flanked by an interpreter and a security officer, wiped away tears throughout the hearing.

Judge Hatton said the extent of her role in the sophisticated conspiracy was difficult to assess but she had been considerably influenced and exploited by her husband.

"I am satisfied that your shame and regret is genuine and that it is deep," he said.

Hussain was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.

MORE TOP STORIES