A SHOPKEEPER who told police his store was blown up in a racist attack was yesterday jailed for six years after he admitted conspiring to start the fire himself.

Mohammed Bashir, 48, and his son Mohammed Umran Bashir, 19, had both pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to conspiracy to commit arson after his Cut Price mini-market shop in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, was destroyed by fire in October 1999.

Yesterday, Judge Gerard Harkins jailed Bashir senior, from Springfield Road, Lower Edge, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, for six years and his son for three years.

Alan Stewart, 35, from Byker, Newcastle, was jailed for two years after he admitted causing arson on the instruction of Bashir senior.

Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday that Bashir senior had shown Northumbria Police Chief Constable Crispian Strachan around the Byker area three weeks before the fire and told him about racial problems he had experienced.

Mr Strachan's visit attracted interest from local newspapers and television stations because it came as part of a crackdown on racial attacks in the city.

When the shop burned down on October 24, Bashir senior told police and journalists he suspected he was targeted by racists as a result of his appearance with Mr Strachan.

On November 2 the Bashirs and Stewart were arrested in connection with the fire which caused a large explosion, destroying much of the shop.