The son of Glasgow MP Mohammad Sarwar has been jailed for three years for laundering £845,000 of 'dirty money' despite a powerful plea by his defence QC to either fine him or give him community service.
The court heard that the four year delay in bringing Atif Sarwar to trial caused him mental anguish and brought him to the verge of suicide.
His QC, Mike Jones, also revealed that during this time death threats were made against the entire Sarwar family after Atif's father became the prime mover in helping to bring the killer's of Glasgow schoolboy Kriss Donald back from Pakistan to be jailed for life for his murder.
The family has had panic alarms fitted in their homes, and a BMW similar to Atif's was petrol bombed in his cash and carry car park.
Sarwar, from Mearnskirk, on the outskirts of Glasgow, had denied laundering the money from his wholesale business but was convicted after a six-week trial in the city.
The court heard that he or his business was in line to benefit from a 10% commission for processing the sum.
Smartly-dressed Sarwar closed his eyes as the verdict was read out at the High Court in Glasgow.
Lord Carloway told him: "It's clear from the evidence which I heard that the type of fraud involved is one which is prevalent throughout the UK and does considerable damage to Treasury finances.
"For that reason the court must do what it reasonably can to discourage those involved in these frauds.
"The deliberate nature of the offence and the amount involved means that only a custodial sentence can be considered."
As well as Sarwar's MP father, other members of his family were also in court. Several cried after the custodial punishment was read out.
Outside the court, Mohammad Sarwar, who last week announced he would be stepping down as MP for Glasgow Central at the next election, gave an impassioned defence of his son, claiming his innocence.
He said: "I believe that my son is innocent. There's no shred of evidence against him.
"We are going to launch an appeal, I am certain about that.
"He will be exonerated - justice will win and prejudice will fail."
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