THREE judges have reduced the jail term of a businessman, who faked the lorry hijacking of a load of Easter eggs, because his wife is dying from cancer.

Angelo Menga, of Rake Lane, Clifton, was convicted of theft in March and sentenced to a 30-month jail term.

His barrister, Michael Brady, urged London's Court of Appeal to cut 40-year-old Menga's sentence because his wife, Kay, is seriously ill. Mr Justice Gage, sitting with Lord Justice Mantell and Mr Justice Goldring, said although the sentence was not "manifestly excessive", they would cut it to 21 months because of Mrs Menga's condition.

The court was told that Menga plotted with two other man to fake a lorry hijacking and make off with the contents, worth £27,000.

On February 9, 1999, a lorry was driven out of a warehouse on the Trafford Park Industrial Estate, laden with £27,000 worth of Easter eggs headed for Devon.

But the lorry never made it to the West Country, and was instead driven to a garage Menga owned where it was unloaded.

The vehicle was then taken to the A667, dumped in a lay-by and the driver roughed up to make it look as if he had been hi-jacked.

Police searched Menga's Swinton home and found £8,000 in cash.

Mr Justice Gage added that, shortly before he was due to stand trial, Menga -- who had previous convictions for violence and dishonesty -- went on the run to Spain.