THE Hashtroudi brothers released a statement after they were approached by the Daily Echo yesterday following their conviction for a £3.8 million tax evasion fraud.

Here, printed in full, is the statement:

"Alcatraz was established in 1974, starting as a small coffee shop and expanding to a peak of 15 outlets employing nearly 300 members of staff, with businesses stretching from Dorset to Surrey.

"The business was very successful for 34 years. However, in 2008 the industry was hit hard by the recession which no one could have envisaged would last this long.

"Through this tough economic climate, the family have managed to keep their loyal staff in employment and fought to get the business back on track.

"Unfortunately, the business has been faced with many more obstacles over the years, including the road closure outside the Bournemouth restaurant for more than a year and many big chains expanding their brands into our towns, making it even more difficult for local independents like Alcatraz to succeed.

"The family have injected their personal money into the business several times over the years in order to keep the business running, their staff in employment and their suppliers paid."