Perfume thief stole from Carlisle store 'to fund tobacco addiction'

At Carlisle’s Rickergate court, presiding magistrate Keith Southward told defendant Sadam Ashraf, who is currently waiting for his asylum application to be assessed, that he should treat his adopted home with more respect.

The 32-year-old defendant, of London Road, Carlisle, pleaded guilty to three thefts from the city centre branch of the store: first on January 13, then three days later, and then again on January 20.

Prosecutor Peter Bardsley said Ashraf simple grabbed an £80 bottle of perfume from a display counter on the first occasion and then tried to walk out of the store with it, making no attempt to pay.

When a member of staff challenged him, he simply pushed the man aside and left the store with the perfume. The defendant committed a similar offence on January 13 and again on January 20, on each occasion stealing the same £80 bottle of perfume from the display counter.

Mr Bardsley said: “He was questioned by the police and said he had tobacco addiction and he stole the perfume to fund his habit. He said he does not get any benefits and so he had no money.”

Kate Hunter spoke of the defendant’s mental health challenges, saying that he suffered from anxiety and panic attacks. The court heard that Ashraf’s application for asylum in the UK was still under consideration.

Presiding magistrate Keith Southward told the defendant: “You’ve applied for asylum in this country and you’re waiting for the result. We expect you to treat this country which is looking at your asylum claim better than you’re treating it.

“You can’t just go into a shop and take things because you want a cigarette.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge, which means there will be no punishment provided the defendant stays out of trouble for that period. The ruled against imposing compensation because Ashraf has no funds.

Mr Southward added: “It’s time to start treating where you live properly – no more offending.”