Stolen goods found in a father and son's shop in Cheltenham
GOODS stolen in house burglaries across Cheltenham were discovered in a shop run by a father and son.
Police with a search warrant raided Anisha General Stores in Prestbury Road, Pittville, and found two stolen sat navs, two laptops and a portable hard drive.
Gloucester Crown Court was told Gulamali Karim, 60, and his son Alykhan Karim, 32, both live above the shop with their families.
They were each to have stood trial on five charges of handling stolen goods. But after negotiations between prosecution and defence, Alykhan pleaded guilty to handling the hard drive and laptops between December 2011 and January 2012.
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His father accepted a formal police caution on the two charges of handling stolen satnavs – a Tom Tom and a Navman. Judge William Hart entered not guilty verdicts in their favour on the charges they continued to deny and he discharged Gulamali.
The judge fined Alykhan £750 and ordered him to pay costs of £250 and a surcharge of £15.
Joe Maloney, for Alykhan, said he had no previous criminal convictions and was embarrassed and remorseful about his involvement in the offences.
"He is a man who is well-respected in the local community. It is deeply regrettable that he and his father have placed themselves in this position," said Mr Maloney.
"He has a position in the local mosque. He is very remorseful. His wife is expecting a baby in November and the pregnancy has not been without its complications. A sentence of unpaid work may be difficult if he has to deal with any issues at short notice."
Alykhan lives with his parents, his wife, young son and brother above the shop in a "micro community", he said.
"They work very hard at this enterprise. He draws about £500 a month from the business but of course food and accommodation are all provided. He has commitments and responsibilities within his community."
Judge Hart told Alykhan: "I accept that your presence in the dock today and your conviction will bring shame upon you and your family, which will be a punishment in itself.
"These items were stolen from dwelling house burglaries. I sentence you on the basis that you didn't know where they had come from and did not know they were stolen but shut your eyes to what must have been obvious to you when they were offered to you."
Comments
by geoffwatts716
Saturday, September 15 2012, 3:47PM
“Ah, the joys of multiculturalism....aren't we blessed.
At least they weren't grooming underage white girls though.
I wonder if the 'business' has ever paid any tax?”
by Justica
Monday, September 10 2012, 2:36PM
“They are respected in their own community, but as we know this does not extend to the indigenous community.”
by late83
Saturday, September 08 2012, 2:10PM
“These utter scumbags have contributed to the cause of families having their homes broken into and possesions stolen by other scumbags. This isnt justice and anyone who has been burgled will agree. How would they feel if they were burgled with young kids in the house? The justice system should make them give the names of the people who gave them the stolen gear or face prison.”
by TheNub
Saturday, September 08 2012, 1:01PM
“probably well respected in his own shop .”
by Matt1006
Friday, September 07 2012, 2:32PM
“tomtom100 - think it would be more appropriate if it said "WAS well-respected in the local community".
Respect has to be earned, often over a long period. Losing it can happen overnight, like when said community find out that the person is a thief / handles stolen goods.”
by tomtom100
Friday, September 07 2012, 2:08PM
“He is a man who is well-respected in the local community ( by who?)”