Trusted Muslim centre manager jailed

The trusted manager of a Muslim community centre has been locked up after he stole more than £16,000 and "frittered it away" on cars, drink and nights out with his friends.

Sajid Karim was employed by Sandwell Council to run Tipton Muslim Community Centre, in Wellington Road, from 2001 to 2006.

The 33-year-old, who was jailed for nine months at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, was in charge of the centre's accounts and cheque book. The court heard how the father of three was responsible for managing the finances of groups that used the centre and entrusted to pass the payments on to the council.

Miss Rhiannon Jones, prosecuting, said Karim received two cheques from Bangladeshi Women's Association in March 2004 and instead of passing them on to the council, paid them into the centre's account, which he later raided. Between June 2004 and January 2005, Karim, of Wilson Street, Tipton, stole a total of £16,850.

His theft was uncovered following a review of the accounts in 2006 and he was dismissed from his post.

Miss Jones said: "He said he would pay the money back and had £6,000 to give but nearly two years later he hasn't repaid any money. He said he spent it on cars, drinking and going out with friends."

Karim, who is married and has three children aged under 10, pleaded guilty to theft at Warley Magistrates Court on August 4.

Mr Jas Mann, defending, said his client had previously worked as a waiter and was thrust into the role of manager untrained as he was a well-known volunteer and his father was a respected trustee at the local mosque.

Mr Mann said: "For a significant period of time, he was a good servant. Now he is doomed to work in modestly-paid jobs.

"The money was squandered and frittered away, the suggestion of repayment was a pipe dream. The trust has been eroded in his family and he is ashamed."

Karim is now working for Parcel Line, Mr Mann added.

Judge John Warner described the crime as a "gross and repeated breach of trust".

"This was deliberate dishonesty and you were not subject to financial pressures, you can't have that as any sort of excuse," he said.

"This was simply dishonest greed and you took advantage of the people that put trust in you."