A HEROIN addict who stole money from charity collection boxes in East Lancashire by posing as a representative of the charities has been jailed for 12 months.

And sentencing the "high-risk reoffender", magistrates slammed him for jeopardising future charity donations by creating doubt in people's goodwill.

Saeed Ahmed, 35, of Camden Street, Nelson, was jailed for six months in total for the deception charges, and a further six months for dangerous driving following a high-speed chase to arrest him. He had admitted the charges at an earlier hearing.

The father-of-two, whose family left him when he became a drug addict six years ago, went into shops in Garbett Street, Pendle Street, and Richmond Hill Street, Accrington, on April 4 and claimed to be collecting the money from charity boxes in the stores.

Hyndburn magistrates also heard that Ahmed was involved in a high- speed police car chase when he was sought by police after one shop owner reported something suspicious about his collection.

Ahmed was driving well in excess of the speed limit along Blackburn Road, Accrington, towards Blackburn, before going through a red light at the junction with Shadsworth Road, all in an attempt to lose the police car following.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said on April 4 Ahmed took money meant for charities, including the Asthma Trust, Accrington Inskip League, and the Minhaj Welfare Foundation, presenting business cards and leaflets relating to the charities.

The court also heard how less than an hour after being released from custody on bail for the offences he was also charged with dishonestly obtaining £10 from a residential address in Accrington, claiming to be from the Minhaj Welfare Foundation.

Magistrate Clifford Briley said: "These offences were planned and prepared. You have placed doubt in the minds of people's goodwill. What you have done could stop people from giving to charities and that is tragic."

Ahmed has already served 34 days in prison after being detained pending the case, and this will be taken off the time he will serve in prison.