A RADCLIFFE man was one of five people accused at Manchester City Magistrates Court of a £10 million mobile phone VAT fraud.

Michael McNeil, aged 31, of Chapeltown Road, was remanded on bail until July 16 on his own security of £50,000, and two sureties totalling £100,000.

He was also ordered to surrender his passport, report daily to the police, and not to communicate with his co-accused.

The five accused are charged with conspiring to cheat Customs and Excise out of the tax on mobile phones imported from Europe over 19 months.

Others before the court were Colin Jones, aged 36, of New Oak Close, Failsworth; Brett Issitt, aged 27, of Ramden Wood Road, Todmorden, and Sarah Smith, aged 29, of Streamside Close, Timperley.

A fifth man, 31 year old Raymond Cox, from Staffordshire, had an application for bail refused, and was kept in custody until next Tuesday.