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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Sophie Halle-Richards

Career criminals used doctor's stolen debit card to buy euros and sportswear after he was robbed and beaten in Northern Quarter

Three criminals used a doctor's stolen debit cards to buy thousands of pounds worth of euros and sports clothes after he was beaten and robbed during a night out in Manchester.

Ibrahim Ahmed, 27, Anis Said, 26 and Abdullah Mohamed, 27, blew the victim's cash just hours after he had been hospitalised for the attack which occurred in the city's Northern Quarter.

Manchester Crown Court heard that the victim, who worked as a locum doctor, had been on a night out with friends when he became heavily intoxicated.

During the course of the evening, he became separated from his friends and was befriended by a group of males, the court heard.

At some stage, the man went to a nearby convenience with the group of men and withdrew a sum of money, prosecutor, Jane Greenhalgh said.

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"He recalls at some point the group becoming hostile and he was attacked," Ms Greenhalgh told the court.

"He remembered being kicked and stamped on whilst on the floor."

The doctor had been on a night out in Northern Quarter when he was attacked (Manchester Evening News)

The victim also told police he believed he had been driven somewhere by the group - but due to his intoxication, could not remember how or where.

After escaping from the men, he attended at hospital and was treated for a fractured collar bone and bruising to his cheeks.

He later noticed that his phone, E-cigarette and debit card had been stolen from him.

The following morning, Ibrahim Ahmed was seen on CCTV at the Bureau de change at Marks and Spencer on Market Street.

Ibrahim Ahmed (GMP)

There he withdrew £1,998 worth of euros, telling staff that he had planned a trip to Amsterdam with his family to 'get high' and asked them about their buy-back rates.

This aroused suspicion and the staff filed a suspicious activity report, notifying police.

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A short time later, Mohamed and Said were seen at a JD Sports in Denton where they purchased over £700 of sports clothing and footwear, Ms Greenhalgh said.

"A local police officer was asked to view the CCTV and identified both the defendants from the footage," she told the court.

"The officer had known both defendants for many years and was able to pick them out."

Abdullah Mohamed (GMP)

During an identity parade, the victim picked out two of the defendants as being present during the robbery, but due to his intoxication and lack of recall, they were not charged with robbery or assault.

All three men, from Manchester, were jailed after admitting handling stolen goods and fraud by false representation.

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Reading a victim impact statement, Ms Greenhalgh said that the incident had had a profound impact on the victim's life.

"The bank initially refunded me £5,000 and abruptly retracted the decision which has left me broke," he said.

"The injury to my shoulder still has not healed and the incident has left me feeling anxious and nervous whenever I am in the Manchester area on my own."

Anis Said (GMP)

Sentencing, Judge Richard Mansell QC said: "The victim was involved in a serious robbery which involved him being punched and kicked whilst on the ground.

"His phone, E-cigarette and debit cards were stolen and he received a fractured collar bone and bruising to his cheeks.

"The debit cards were then used to fraudulently spend a total sum of nearly £5,000.

"This is becoming an all too common occurrence where gangs of male target men or women who have been drinking and are therefore vulnerable - befriending them and persuading them to withdraw money before stealing their bank cards.

"The message must go out that people will be protected and people like you will receive sufficient punishment."

Ahmed of Taylor Street, Gorton, was jailed for 21 months.

Mohammed, of Westmam Drive, Manchester, was jailed for 12 months and Said of Darras Road, Manchester, was jailed for 14 months.

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