Drug addict lands 18 months in jail

A DRUG crazed Oldham man turned to crime to feed his heroin addiction, a court was told.

Kobir Miah (25), targeted vulnerable victims, posing as an official from the ‘gas board’ or United Utilities, to trick his way into their homes.

Jailing him for 18 months at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Geake told him: “Quite clearly these offences were motivated by your extreme addiction to drugs.

“Drugs however, are no excuse for committing crimes, particularly when they involve vulnerable or somewhat elderly people.”

Mark Angus prosecuting, said that Miah, of Sherwood Street, Westwood, had committed offences of burglary and attempted burglary within minutes of each other, just days after being given a six-months suspended sentence in August last year, for similar offences.

He was given a 12-month jail sentence on each of the counts he admitted, the terms to run concurrently. The judge also ordered that he serve the suspended term.

The court was told that Miah had first tried to trick his way into a flat at the sheltered housing complex Cherry Hinton in Oldham, by posing as an official from United Utilities.

He told the occupant John Barnes that he needed to check his boiler, but Mr Barnes was suspicious about him, and refused to let him in.

Miah then went to an adjoining flat where he told 61-year old Ann Garlick that there had been a gas explosion nearby, and he had to check her boiler and gas meter.

Despite having reservations she let him in. She then became scared and told him she was going to call the police, at which he walked into her bedroom, emerging a minute or two later with her purse containing £500.

The court was told that she shouted at him to get out of her home, and he did so, taking the purse and contents, along with her mobile phone. In doing so, he pushed her hard, and she fell onto a coffee table, injuring herself.

Police later traced Miah to his home address, and found £320 in £20 notes which had been in Mrs Garlick’s purse. The mobile phone was also recovered.

Forensic tests later showed his fingerprints on the door handle of her bedroom.

Steve Sullivan defending, said that Miah came from a hard working and decent family of high achievers including a doctor, psychiatrist and restauranteur.

He said his client now realised he had been a “slave” to heroin. He said he developed the habit after relationship with his girlfriend ended, and he found it impossible to get a job.

“He has expressed genuine remorse and regret for what he has done, and he has brought shame on his family” he said.

Miah pleaded guilty to one charge of robbery, one of attempted robbery, and asked for a number of other offences to be taken into consideration.