TWO women who illegally employed Vietnamese immigrants to work in town-centre nail bars have been given suspended jail sentences.

Thu Kim Ho and Hanh Minh Tran both admitted to knowingly employing men and women at American Nails and The Nail Lounge, both in West Street.

The pair were arrested separately following an 18-month police investigation into the staffing of nail bars in the town.

Simultaneous busts under the name Operation Rehoboam were carried out on stores across the country on March 17.

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Mears said at the time the nationwide crackdown originated from investigations in Reading, leading on to shops in North Yorkshire and London.

Ho, 56, of Waylen Street, Coley, was arrested on the day of the police raids and later admitted to two charges of knowingly employing illegal immigrants.

Tran, 34, also of Waylen Street, was arrested six days later and admitted to one count of the same charge.

Investigating officer, Det Sgt James Woodcock of Force CID in Berkshire, said: "Following a detailed investigation into the operations of nail bars in Reading, we are pleased these convictions will protect the vulnerable workers and the wider Vietnamese community.

"I would like to thank the public for their co-operation and patience while the warrants were carried out earlier this year.

"Thames Valley Police is committed to tackling immigration and will work with communities to stop such crimes."

Both Ho and Tran were sentenced at Reading Magistrates' Court last Thursday to 12 weeks' imprisonment suspended for two years and 100 hours of community service.

The charges related to the period between September 25, 2014, and March 18 this year.

Both women were in managerial roles with Ho working at American Nails and Tran at The Nail Lounge.