A SHOP owner from Bolton has appeared in court accused of conspiring to bring illegal immigrants into the country.

Asif Patel, aged 31, who owns a mobile phone shop in Derby Street, Daubhill, was arrested on Tuesday by police at his home on nearby Croston Street.

He appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court along with clothes factory owner Sabbir Patel, aged 30, from Leicester, and Asif Bhikhi, aged 36, a garment importer and exporter from East London.

They will appear for trial at Leicester Crown Court on January 11 and have been remanded in custody.