Asylum Seeker Committed Shoplifting Offences After Drug Relapse
A HOMELESS Iraqi asylum seeker committed three shoplifting offences when he relapsed back into drug use. Tarek Alesheri – who has 17 previous convictions for theft -- stole a digital camera from the Argos store in Ely on January 20. On February 1 he went
A HOMELESS Iraqi asylum seeker committed three shoplifting offences when he relapsed back into drug use.
Tarek Alesheri - who has 17 previous convictions for theft -- stole a digital camera from the Argos store in Ely on January 20.
On February 1 he went into the Co-op store twice within a few minutes, stealing eight bottles of wine worth �30. A week later, he stole two cans of lager from the One Stop shop in Ely, city magistrates were told.
Alesheri, 33, "sofa surfs" at the home of friends, but gave an address in Churchgate Street, Soham.
You may also want to watch:
"These were unsophisticated and impulsive offences," said Lowri Roberts, mitigating. "At the time of the offences he had relapsed into drug and substance abuse, that period is very foggy indeed for him."
She said Alesheri came to the UK six years ago illegally, because his family was persecuted by the old regime, and his father was killed.
Most Read
- 1 Holiday park 'honoured' to host Cambridge Boat Race teams
- 2 Cambridgeshire mourns death of HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh
- 3 Youngsters finally get their wish thanks to new goalposts
- 4 Museum shares historical photos of Ely Market and its royal visitors
- 5 'Lot wrong' but opponents admit concrete plant expansion defeat
- 6 Person hit by train between Cambridge and Ely
- 7 Rats spotted around overflowing bins in Ely
- 8 'Cash strapped' force picks up bill for 120 Boat Race police
- 9 Mum-of-two battling arthritis tackles year-long workout test
- 10 12 exciting new businesses to discover when lockdown restrictions ease
"He is an asylum seeker, he cannot work or sign on," she added. "He has now turned things round, he is in contact with a drugs agency, and has a methadone prescription."
Sentencing was adjourned until April 9 for a report to be prepared.
