Neale Rothera, 49, led a gang of four associates, persuading them to become company directors for him as he was unable to take out company loans due to previous convictions for fraud. In total, £562,901.64 was stolen and not recovered from this crime.

The offences, which happened in 2012 and 2013, came to court after lengthy investigations by the Insolvency Service.

Rothera was jailed for six years and four months at Leicester Crown Court last week.

The accomplices were Simon Wakefield, 53, Frederick Penn, 76, Shona Walters, 54, and Laura Perkins, 31.