A 54-YEAR-OLD ex-prisoner who was given a chance by an Accrington solicitor repaid her trust by stealing from her.

Blackburn magistrates heard Thomas James Dunlop pocketed over £1,000 which had been handed over by a client of immigration lawyer Sarwat Rafiq.

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Dunlop, of Countess Street, Accrington, was convicted of stealing the cash and jailed for 26 weeks.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Dunlop had been doing odd jobs for Mrs Rafiq at her offices in Whalley Road for a number of years.

“He was trusted to the extent he had a key to the side door to let himself in,” said Miss Allan. “She has always known of his criminal convictions but she and her husband gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Miss Allan said Dunlop had been asked to take the money to the Post Office but it was closed and he brought the cash back. However he returned later and took it.

Mrs Rafiq sent him a text message saying he could return the money and they would say no more about it but he refused to answer the text and the police were called.

Angela Rossi, defending, said despite his not guilty plea Dunlop now accepted responsibility for the theft.