Terrified teen hid in cupboard while addict thief raided family home

Shafakat Hussain also terrified a 17-year-old girl during a burglary to feed his habit.

Hussain was sacked by Sweet4Smiles amid fears that he was taking cash from it, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

But the 41-year-old continued to pick up its collection boxes and pocketed the donated cash, said Mr David Bennett, prosecuting.

Police found CCTV footage that showed him stealing some of the boxes from the Robin 2 club in Bilston and the Edgbaston officers of Severn Trent Water on September 30 and July 7, respectively.

Then at lunchtime on October 12 a 17-year-old girl heard an intruder at her family's home in Charlemont Avenue, West Bromwich where she was alone.

Mr Bennett continued: "She phoned her mother and then heard footsteps slowly coming upstairs and hid in a cupboard. Not long afterwards the burglar opened the cupboard door and the pair came face to face."

Fortunately Hussain, who had convictions for 17 previous offences, turned and fled from the house with a £250 camera, the court was told. The teenager later told police: "I was scared witless and never want to be as afraid as that again."

Less than two hours later the camera was sold at a Cash Converters store in West Bromwich by the defendant's partner, Claire Kierczek, aged 31.

She was arrested the following day at the Sandfield Road, Stone Cross address where the pair were living. Police found Hussain hiding in the attic when they returned 24 hours later to detain him.

Mr Jason Patel, defending, said the couple had been together for 14 years but lost their home after falling into debt when Hussain became hooked on cocaine and heroin. They were staying with friends when the offences were committed but are now each living with their respective parents, the court was told.

Hussain from Richmond Road, Dudley admitted theft and burglary and was jailed for one year and ten months by Judge James Burbidge QC, who told him: "Whether through a fit of pique or just mean dishonesty you continued to pick up the collection boxes of a charity after losing your job with it.

"You then had a significant psychological impact on a 17-year-old girl whose home you burgled when she was at the house alone."

Kierczek from Buffery Road, Netherton pleaded guilty to disposing of criminal property and received a two month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and two month night time curfew.