Omar Khider, a 24-year-old from Aston, Birmingham, narrowly avoided jail after pleading guilty to shoplifting a £180 North Face coat from Selfridges in the Bullring and possession of a class B drug. The offence occurred on June 12 this year, when Khider put on the coat inside the department store and attempted to leave without paying.
Security staff apprehended him shortly afterward, and police found three small bags of the synthetic drug known as mamba in his possession. This incident took place while Khider was serving a suspended sentence for assault and criminal damage, making the case more serious.
At Birmingham Crown Court on November 5, Khider admitted the theft and possession charges, describing his actions as a “stupid idea” for which he expressed remorse. Prosecutor Millie Hainge revealed that Khider told authorities he had smoked mamba that morning, which influenced his behavior.
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Despite his past offenses, the court was informed that Khider had completed 100 unpaid work hours and attended most appointments related to his previous suspended sentence. Additionally, he is currently on Universal Credit and has no family in the UK, as they remain in Sudan.
Defending counsel Hamza Ahmed advocated for leniency, highlighting that Khider has been drug-free for two months and is actively trying to improve his circumstances by attending job center appointments and starting a construction course.
Presiding Judge Heidi Kubik KC acknowledged Khider’s genuine efforts to reform, deciding that activating his suspended sentence would be unjust. Instead, she imposed a 12-month community order that includes 20 days of rehabilitation activities and 80 hours of unpaid work, offering Khider a chance to fully turn his life around.