THE Asian community has been urged to help catch a crooked businessman who stole money intended to pay for people's Hajj.

Mohammed Adris, 30, of Blackburn Road, Accrington, was due to be sentenced for stealing the money but fled when he saw Press waiting outside Burnley Crown Court two weeks ago.

Judge Raymond Bennett issued a warrant for Adris's arrest as victims told how they believed he deserved punishment in this world - but would have even more to answer in the hereafter.

Today Chief Insp Pete Broome of Lancashire Police said: "This man has committed a serious offence which has had a lasting effect on a number of people.

"He must be caught and dealt with as soon as possible and I would urge anyone, particularly from the Asian community, who knows of his whereabouts to contact the police."

The court heard how Hafiz Lal Hussain had handed over a total of more than £40,000 through a middle man to Adris, who was said to be trusted because the money was supposed to be going to a religious cause.

The cash had been raised by about 65 pilgrims from across Blackburn, Burnley and Pendle, with some elders handing over their entire savings for trips they may never now make.

Mr Hussain said the "very faithful" group, aged between about 30 and 65, were each paying £1,200 for the pilgrimage.

He said: "They feel very angry and very upset, not only at losing the money but that they are not going to Mecca to see the house of God."

Adris set up his pilgrimage business, Umrah, in Accrington, and victims of his dishonesty stretched from Lancashire and Bury to Nottingham.

In total, 170 pilgrims had been due to travel to Mecca in February but as the time drew nearer for the trip, they became concerned about the lack of visas and tickets.

Adris was later arrested on February 18 near Manchester Airport and around £20,000 was found on him.

He had earlier admitted two counts of theft totalling about £150,000 and one charge of possession of a firearm.

The court was told that he accepted taking the money but not that he intended to keep all of it.

Mr Hussain, who teaches at Ghosia Mosque in Nelson, said the police had recovered some cash from Adris and it was hoped the group might get some of their money back.

He told how when it was discovered the pilgrimage money had gone missing, people in the group were demanding cash from him.

Passports had also been given to Adris but the group have got those back.

Police went looking for Adris after it was found he had left Burnley Crown Court but the judge adjourned the case at lunchtime when prosecutor Michael Lavery told the court enquiries had been fruitless. Adris was not at home or at a possible place of work and his telephone was not being answered.

DS Chris Batt, of Lancashire Police, said, "Fraud is often regarded as victimless but in this particular case anyone paying for a holiday or trip would feel upset. All these Muslims were trying to go to Mecca for what should be a once in a lifetime trip, which is part of their religious faith.

"For them to be defrauded by one of their own would cause tremendous distress and anxiety between them.

"He is cold and calculated.

"He said he was intending to pay them back but he used post dated cheques on an account with no money in it."

The judge put back the sentence to a date to be fixed within the next month.