A BROMSGROVE-based solicitor tried to "manipulate a civil claim against her former employee", alleging she owed more than £20,000.

Diljit Bachada, aged 45, was the principal solicitor at the law firm Hollies Solicitors, based on Birmingham Road, when she entered into a dispute with a former employee.

The victim was employed by the firm but resigned in August 2012 and a dispute between the two parties about monies owed to the victim followed.

Working alongside Tharinjit Biring, aged 41, who had assisted her by providing false information in a witness statement, Bachada from Redlake Drive, Stourbridge, sent the victim on May 17, 2013, a County Court Claim for breach of her contract of employment for the sum of £20,486.35.

Attached to this claim were two contracts, each signed by Bachada and the victim. On closer inspection, the victim realised that she had never signed the documents.

The matter was reported to the police who examined the contracts to discover The Law Society copyright at the foot of each page was incorrect and the clause stated in the contract did not come into force until July 2010, yet the documents had apparently been signed in January 2010.

Bachada was later arrested as was Biring.

Following a six week trial at Bristol Crown Court, both defendants were found guilty today (August 24).

The duo have been jailed for a total of six years and one month for their part in committing a fraud and perverting the course of justice.

Bachada was found guilty of two counts of fraud and two of perverting the course of justice - she was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment.

Biring was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and sentenced to 19 months imprisonment.

Ian Crooks, Senior Crown Prosecutor with West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Diljit Bachada abused her position of trust and authority to try and manipulate a civil claim against her former employee.

"Tharanjit Biring assisted her by providing false information in a witness statement.

"Their fraud was uncovered when the victim became suspicious about a number of documents which were sent to her which appeared to bear her signature.

"Handwriting experts concluded that these were not her signatures and investigation also uncovered incorrect use of The Law Society copyright as well as inserting a law in the contract which had not even been introduced when the contracts were alleged to have been signed.

"Both of these two individuals have brought their profession into disrepute and they will now have to deal with the consequences of their actions."

West Mercia Police Detective Sergeant Mark Morton added: "This has been a complex case that involved a detailed analysis of legal documents to establish that they had been falsified.

"Members of the public rely on those involved in our judicial service to be totally honest and incorruptible but the actions of Diljit Bachada and Tharanjit Biring has undoubtedly damaged that trust.

"I would encourage anyone who has any concerns as a result of this case to speak to police officers on 101."