Knife terror conman jailed

Kobir Miah

A CONMAN has been jailed after he tricked his way into the homes of two people and threatened one with a knife.

Kobir Miah (29) of Sherwood Street, Oldham, was sentenced to six years at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery.

The first incident happened at around 6pm on September 25 when Miah approached a warden-controlled flat in Plumpton Close in Royton.

He knocked on the door and told the 61-year-old man living there he was a university student conducting a survey about housing.

Once inside he asked several questions before asking for a cup of coffee.

Shortly afterwards, Miah attempted to grab the man’s bag.

There was a struggle before the victim pulled the chord for warden control and Miah fled.

About an hour later, Miah approached a house on Brook Street in Chadderton. He banged on the door and the 74-year-old woman living there answered.

Miah told her he had come to do a health and safety audit and needed to ask some questions.

He presented her with a plastic card and told her it was his identification.

He asked numerous questions while standing at the door.

After a while, the victim went to shut the door so she could make a phone call and Miah pushed past her. He went into the living room, pushed the woman to the floor and took her mobile phone.

He then asked where her handbag was but when she didn’t answer straight away, he pulled out a knife and threatened her.

A neighbour heard the shouts and came to the door.

Miah answered and told him he was from health and safety before walking outside.

The woman shouted from inside that she needed help and so the neighbour attempted to stop Miah.

There was a brief struggle where the neighbour managed to get the mobile phone back and Miah ran away.
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