A man who stole £150,000 of people's Hajj money was given a three-year jail term.

Convicted Mohammed Adris, 31, cheated more than 200 people, many from Blackburn, Burnley and Pendle. Some had parted with their life savings - but not only did they never make the Hajj (pilgrimage), they may never see any of the cash again, Burnley Crown Court has heard.

Adris, who has already served time for deception, appeared before Judge Raymond Bennett almost six months after he should have faced sentence. He had turned up at court in May but went on the run after seeing the press waiting outside. The defendant was finally arrested at a hotel in Slough, where he was using a different name.

As father of five Adris was led from the dock, one victim, who had acted as a "middle man" and handed over almost £61,000 to the defendant on behalf of 64 pilgrims, told how he was now more than £20,000 out of pocket, after taking out a loan himself to pay them back.

Hafiz Lal Hussain, a teacher at Ghosia Mosque in Nelson, and who lives in the town, added nothing could make up for the upset the defendant had caused and victims were still distressed by what happened.

He said pilgrims had been angry not only at losing their money but because they were not going to see the house of God.

But he added, "I hope people forgive him because Muslims should forgive each other. It's a very tough decision. In the month of Ramadan I forgive him."

The defendant, of Blackburn Road, Accrington, had earlier admitted two counts of theft, possessing a firearm and failing to surrender.

Sentencing, Judge Raymond Bennett said Adris was the "last person in the world," who should be handling other people's money.

The judge said Adris had known the money given to him was for a holy purpose and many of those affected could probably ill afford to lose it.

Neil Fryman, prosecuting, said the East Lancashire pilgrims had been hoping to travel to Mecca with Umrah Visa Services UK based in Charter Street, Accrington, and run by the defendant.

Police were called in as the trip came closer and organisers had heard nothing from Adris, despite handing over passports and cash.

Keith Harrison, defending, said the defendant had set up his business as a legitimate venture in March 2001 and did not set out to defraud the victims from the start.

Mr Harrison went on: "He was trying to keep the wolf from the door with a variety of business gambles. That was totally unacceptable and no compensation to the losers but that was what he was doing."

He said Adris had lost a great deal by his offending. He had lost all hope of resurrecting any businesses he had had and his marriage may be over due to the hardship he had caused his family.

Mr Harrison went on :"He feels his life is in danger in prison and that when he is released that situation will prevail. Of course he has brought it on himself but it is an exceptional feature in this case which may be considered to be a punishment in itself."

After the case Det Sgt Chris Batt, of Lancashire Police, said there was a "little bit of hope," the victims may get some of their money back but legally the recovered cash had to go to the bankruptcy trustee.

He also warned the public to be cautious and to book any foreign travel with recognised and regulated travel agents.