BROTHERS who faked charity donations to swindle nearly £400,000 in gift aid have been jailed.

Abu Talib Ghadri and Mohsin Raza, both of Preston Waye, Harrow, used dead people’s details when submitting claims for two charities – the Fatimiyya Trust and The Light.

For every £1 donated to charity by a taxpayer, the charity can claim 25p back – but the pair listed donations from people months after their deaths and used details of ineligible taxpayers to claim.

Ghadri also submitted false VAT invoices worth £47,000 linked to seven bogus companies, but lied and said they had been set up by his estranged ex-girlfriend.

Ghadri, 35, was sentenced to six years in jail at Harrow Crown Court on Friday, while Raza, 33, was sentenced to four years.

Addressing Ghadiri, Honour Judge Arran said: "Your evidence was a series of lies, displaying ‎a meanness and cowardice in blaming others.

“Taking advantage of a dying person was particularly disgraceful. This sentence reflects your sheer dishonesty and lack of remorse.”

Both charities are now being investigated by the Charities Commission.