A SHOPKEEPER in Nelson systematically stole from her odd-job man after taking control of his financial affairs, a court heard.

Graham Ashworth, who was said to be ‘vulnerable’, had been befriended by Zulakha Kausar, 34, who runs the Bismillah grocers in Bradshaw Street, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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But eventually Mr Ashworth became so destitute that he turned up on a charity’s doorstep on Christmas Eve, asking for help because he was so short of money, say prosecutors.

Judge Beverley Lunt said the case represented a ‘clear breach of trust’, after Kausar, who admitted theft and fraud charges, assumed control of her victim’s bank account and benefit payments.

But she gave the mother-of-one, of Clover Hill Road, a 12-month community order, with 180 hours’ community service and an £1,800 compensation order, after being told she had no previous criminal record.

Claire Larton, prosecuting, said the victim, who was ‘vulnerable’ because of a disability, had made friends with the defendant, who ran her own grocery, after offering to do some odd jobs around her store.

But eventually it transpired that Kausar had assumed control of his bank account, controlling both his disability living allowance and employment support allowance payments.

Mr Ashworth sank further into debt as it emerged his bills were not being paid. But he was afraid to contact the Department for Work and Pensions as he feared Kausar would report him for his odd jobs work, Miss Larton told the court.

Later Mr Ashworth contacted John McBeth, of the Pendle Support charity, who intervened on his behalf.

But Kausar still managed to fraudulently claim to the energy supplier Eon that her victim had moved away.

The court heard Kausar insisted that this not so that the energy firm would cancel a debt owed by Mr Ashworth, while she was in control of his finances.

Mr Ashworth eventually turned up on the doorstep of Pendle Support on Christmas Eve, as he was struggling to make ends meet.

He had been reduced to selling fruit and vegetables from Kausar’s shop, around nearby streets, to survive.

Keith Harrison, defending, said: “She richly deserves a prison sentence but the court may be persuaded by the recommendation in the pre-sentence report for unpaid work, which she could perform.

“She is a woman of previous good character. She has had some sad events in her life recently.

“Her husband has had a stroke, and has still not recovered, and she has a 13-year-old daughter.”

Judge Lunt said if there was any suggestion that Kausar was not performing her community service she would be brought back to court immediately.