THE man who masterminded a worldwide fake marriages racket was today starting a six-year jail sentence.

Ismail Purbhai, 50, was the brains behind the illegal marriage and immigration operation, based in Blackburn but which stretched as far as Bombay.

He was found guilty at Preston Crown Court of four counts of securing or facilitating leave to remain in the United Kingdom of various people between September 95 and February 99. Sentencing him, Judge David Boulton and said he must accept the "brunt of the actual crime". He sentenced him to a further three months for failing to appear in court with his co-accused earlier in the year which was described as a "deliberate and cynical" move.

Six other people involved in the ring have all been sentenced.

Judge Boulton said: "This was clearly a matter for financial gain and a large financial gain Many thousands of pounds were offered for the services of anyone who was prepared to take part in this scheme. There was a high degree of planning, organisation and a sophistication that is difficult to conceive."

He also said that Purbhai was well aware of the "intimate" details of the immigration system which he had used to elaborate the web which deceived the authorities. The court had earlier heard that Purbhai was the 'brains' behind the scheme. Henry Globe QC, prosecuting, told how Purbhai organised false passports, marriage certificates and questionnaires in a bid to fabricate fake marriages at Preston, Blackburn and Accrington Register Offices. In May 1999 he also tried to trick the benefits agency in Blackburn with forged documents of employment from Blackburn-based Arctic Windows.

Mr Globe said he had exposed "desperate" people in a "vulnerable position" to keep Asians in the United Kingdom after their Visas had expired.

He also told the court that it was handwriting which was analysed by an expert which eventually exposed some of the fraudulent documents.

Arthur Stuttard, defending, said Purbhai was no "ring leader" and asked Judge Boulton to perceive that fellow conspirator Ibrahim Patel was equally to blame.

He also asked the judge, although accepting a custodial sentence, to consider that Purbhai had not illegally brought anyone into the country and had a "genuine fear" of Patel.

Judge Boulton praised Detective Constable Tim Maddox, immigration and prosecution teams and police officers for a "highly complex investigation".

DC Maddox said after the case: "There has been a huge amount of effort from across the country. It is an extremely good result and as the sentence shows, this will be a clear message of deterrent to others."