A CONMAN who asked householders for cash on the back of a sob story has been remanded in custody.

Blackburn magistrates heard Tanver Ahmed had previously been jailed for the same kind of offence and the magistrates, who ordered a pre-sentence report, warned that another prison sentence would be an option.

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Ahmed, 44, of Johnston Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to seven charges of fraud by false representation and asked for three similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Tracey Yates, prosecuting, said when he was interviewed by police Ahmed said he had knocked on so many doors asking for money he couldn’t remember most of them.

She said among the stories Ahmed had told to his victims were that he needed £20 to get a taxi home, that his car had broken down and he needed money to get to Preston.

He also said his wife was in the car and they needed money to get home, his wife had got her card stuck in the petrol pump and they needed cash to get petrol, the court was told.

“He asked for and was given, on some occasions, cash,” said Mrs Yates. “He admitted knocking on random doors and making up these stories to get sympathy. The truth is, as he admitted to the police, is that he has a crack cocaine habit and any money he obtained was used to fund his addiction.”

Ahmed admitted using the story about his wife being in the car on numerous occasions, often late at night.

Mrs Yates said he had previously been made subject to an anti-social behaviour order which prohibited him from asking people for money and had been jailed for breaches of that order.

Scott Parker, defending, said that most of the time when Ahmed asked for money he got it.

“He is ashamed of his behaviour and needs some help with his drug problems,” said Mr Parker. “He is now involved with crack and heroin.”