FROM October 2008 the Hashtroudi brothers set up 11 companies, all of which failed, leaving huge debts. None of the companies lasted longer than 24 months, with some trading less than a year.

Some failed to pay a single penny in VAT to HMRC, while stealing the income tax and national insurance contributions of their employees.

At their height the trio employed around 250 members of staff.

The Alcatraz Group was established in 1974 and expanded across 15 outlets. These included the Alcatraz Caffes at Horseshoe Common in Bournemouth, and High Street, Poole, as well as the Sir John Barleycorn pub at Cadnam, Hampshire.

Judge Peter Henry told the brothers their crimes took significant planning, and were sustained over a period of time.

Guilty: the crimes in detail

Shahab Hashtroudi, of Carrbridge Close, was found guilty of:

  • Cheating the public revenue by failing to account for the PAYE and Value Added Tax from Alcatraz Dining Group Ltd, Alcatraz Pub Company Ltd, Alcatraz Restaurant Company Ltd and Alcatraz Wine and Beer Company Ltd between 28 October 2008 and 10 September 2010
  • Cheating the public revenue by failing to account for the PAYE and Value Added Tax from Alcatraz Wine and Beer Company Ltd, 8 Rivers Inns Ltd, 8 Rivers Restaurants Ltd and 8 Rivers Pub Ltd between 2 February 2010 and 11 December 2012
  • Cheating the public revenue by failing to account for PAYE and Value Added Tax from Apricot Pub Company Ltd, Apricot Restaurant Company Ltd and Alcatraz Group Ltd (formerly 8 Rivers Dining Ltd) between 21 February 2012 and 30 October 2014
  • Cheating the public revenue by failing to account for the PAYE and Value Added Tax from Candy Experience Ltd (formerly 8 Rivers Bars Ltd) between 21 February 2012 and 29 June 2016.

Shahin Hashtroudi, of Thwaite Road, was found guilty of:

  • Cheating the public revenue by failing to account for PAYE and Value Added Tax from Alcatraz Dining Group Ltd, Alcatraz Pub Company Ltd, Alcatraz Restaurant Company Ltd and Alcatraz Wine and Beer Company Ltd between 28 October 2008 and 10 September 2010.

Hedayat Hashtroudi, of Stirling Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, was found guilty of:

  • Cheating the public revenue by failing to account for PAYE and Value Added Tax from Apricot Pub Company Ltd, Apricot Restaurant Company Ltd and Alcatraz Group Ltd (formerly 8 Rivers Dining Ltd) between 21 February 2012 and 230 October 2014.

Tracy Carder, of St Peter’s Road, Poole, Dorset, was found guilty of:

  • Cheating the public revenue of PAYE and Value Added Tax by failing to account for PAYE and Value Added Tax from Alcatraz Wine and Beer Company Ltd, 8 Rivers Inns Ltd, 8 Rivers Restaurants Ltd and 8 Rivers Pub Ltd between 2 February 2010 and 11 December 2012.