A man has been sentenced after he stole charity boxes across Blackburn with Darwen.

Adnan Choudhary, 39, pled guilty to the theft of the boxes from businesses from December 2023 and February 2024.

On one occasion, he used scissors to cut the chains holding the boxes to the business counters before making off on foot when challenged by members of the public.  

He has now been sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment.

Earlier this month, a store owner spoke of his "disbelief" after Choudhary was caught on camera stealing a charity box and then asked for a donation into his own 'charity' bucket.

CCTV footage showed Choudhary walking into the Anisha’s Collection fashion store in Victoria Street.

A spokesperson for the shop said he was in "disbelief" at the manner of the theft.

He said: “I was away on business and on returning was wondering where the charity box had gone. So, I decided to trawl through the CCTV and spotted this.

“We were left speechless and couldn’t believe what he had just done."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Shear Brow ward Councillor Suleman Khonat said: “It is unfair on other genuine collectors. They are doing a good deed and it undermines their efforts.

"With Ramadan coming, a lot of people will be out collecting and we should ask questions and maybe ask for ID.

“To be fair to the shopkeeper, like many of them do, he gave the money out of kindness not knowing what had happened.”

A spokesperson for Blackburn Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "Good news.

"[We] were notified of numerous charity box thefts from businesses across the Blackburn and Darwen Communities, between December 2023 and February 2024.

"Adnan Choudhary, aged 39, appeared at Blackburn Magistrates court on February 19 where he pleaded guilty to four theft offences and a going equipped for theft.

"Choudhary has now been sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment after being found guilty."