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Energy drink fraudster Yasar Hussain jailed after 12 years in hiding

Hussain fled during his trial at Hull Crown Court and was finally arrested at Warsaw Airport in August after nearly 12 years of evasion.

Hussain, 43, originally from Bradford, had evaded justice by living under a false identity in Dubai. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)
Hussain, 43, originally from Bradford, had evaded justice by living under a false identity in Dubai. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)

YASAR Hussain, a money launderer who fled the country during his 2012 trial for masterminding an energy drink scam, has been jailed after 12 years on the run.

Hussain, 43, originally from Bradford, had evaded justice by living under a false identity in Dubai.


He was sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court to two consecutive six-month terms for failing to appear in court and a separate dangerous driving charge.

These sentences will be served alongside the seven-and-a-half years he received in absentia in 2013 for 13 counts of money laundering.

West Yorkshire Police said Hussain made over £312,000 by establishing a company to produce an energy drink resembling a famous battery brand without permission.

He deceived four international companies into paying advance fees for exclusive distribution rights.

The scam involved fake cans of the drink, which were displayed at a trade fair in Dubai.

Hussain fled during his trial at Hull Crown Court and was finally arrested at Warsaw Airport in August after nearly 12 years of evasion.

His company collapsed in 2009, before the victims could claim refunds.

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Lancashire warned health pressures ‘not sustainable’ without stronger prevention plan

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  • Lancashire’s public health chief says rising demand on services cannot continue.
  • New prevention strategy aims to involve entire public sector and local communities.
  • Funding concerns raised as council explores co-investment and partnerships.
Lancashire’s public sector will struggle to cope with rising demand unless more is done to prevent people from falling ill in the first place, the county’s public health director has warned.
Dr. Sakthi Karunanithi told Lancashire County Council’s health and adult services scrutiny committee that poor health levels were placing “not sustainable” pressure on local services, prompting the authority to begin work on a new illness prevention strategy.

The plan, still in its early stages, aims to widen responsibility for preventing ill health beyond the public health department and make it a shared priority across the county council and the wider public sector.

Dr. Karunanithi said the approach must also be a “partnership” with society, supporting people to make healthier choices around smoking, alcohol use, weight and physical activity. He pointed that improving our health is greater than improving the NHS.

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