A FORMER McDonalds manager who used the proceeds of dealing drugs to buy houses and fill bank accounts with cash has been told he faces going to jail for a second time.

In September last year, father-of-four Imran Afzal was jailed for 18 months for possession of cannabis with intent to supply, using or possessing criminal property and being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Police had found cannabis worth £18,000 in the ensuite of his home in Perendale Rise, Astley Bridge, and the boot of a car parked nearby and £23,000 cash stashed in a carrier bag under a bed.

Following the conviction, investigations continued into his financial dealings and at Bolton Crown Court on Friday, 30-year-old Afzal, who has since been released from prison and is on bail, pleaded guilty to two counts of mortgage fraud and one count of money laundering.

His wife Sharma Afzal, aged 32, of the same address, pleaded not guilty to one charge of mortgage fraud and to money laundering and Judge Peter Davies ordered that the charges against her should lie on file.

Neil Fryman, prosecuting, told the court that on August 8, 2009, the Afzals had made an application for a mortgage on their Perendale Rise home, stating that Sharma Afzal, who does not speak English, earned £27,000 a year when in fact she was on state benefits.

On May 14, 2011, Afzal also made a separate application for a mortgage to cover his purchase of a buy-to-let property in Grierson Street, Halliwell, fraudulently claiming that his income was £19,000 a year — more than he was earning from employment.

Judge Davies granted Imran Afzal bail until he is sentenced on December 20 but told him: “Although I am granting you bail you should not take any promises that you will not be going to prison.”