A THIEVING telesales worker who claimed he had not done his community service because of his work has been jailed.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Zayn Sheikh, 20, flouted a community order for the second time. He had done just over half of the 120 hours of unpaid work in the 10 and a half months since the sentence was imposed.

Sheikh, who had at first assured Judge Beverley Lunt he would be able to do the work on Sundays, now said he wanted to fully comply with the probation service and complete the order.

Sheikh, of Fountain Place, Accrington, admitted the breach and was sent to jail for 28 days. Judge Lunt said: “He’s a telesales operative. It’s not an essential occupation. He’s not a brain surgeon who has to be in the operating theatre.

“I am entirely satisfied you are not taking this order seriously.”

The court was told how Sheikh was given the 12 month community order last August, after being convicted of theft of a mobile phone from a 17-year-old.

He had failed to turn up for some sessions of unpaid work and had sent a letter days after the event, claiming he had been working.