Harrods workers in designer discount scam

Two Harrods workers who used cheaper tags to buy more than £3,000 of designer clothes at a massive discount were spared jail.

Basil Khan, 25, helped colleague Mohammed Nassib, 21, walk away with Armani and Versace goods after paying a fraction of the price.

Most of the items went through on a £29.95 barcode, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.

Aimee Enby, prosecuting, said: ‘Mr Khan was working at Harrods.

‘Mr Nassib would come in in the guise of a customer, while Mr Khan worked the till.

‘On March 22 Mr Nassib purchased two Versace tops priced £270, two t-shirts priced £69, and two tracksuit bottoms, costing £1,069.90.

‘A tag was used for each item costing £29.95, leaving the total cost of £149.75.

‘An employment discount was also used.’

Ms Enby told the court a similar offence occurred on two subsequent occasions, when Armani jumpers worth £110 were also taken.

She added: ‘The tag for £29.95 was used each time.

‘The total loss to Harrods was £3,606.38.’

Darrell Ennis-Gayle, defending, said the pair had made a mistake, and it was out of character.

He said: ‘Mr Khan’s aunt has a spinal condition, he stays with her for six hours a day.

‘He has just become her primary carer.

Mr Nassib says he fell victim to external influences.

‘He also runs a charity.

‘There is no way either men were ever considering a successful career in crime.’

Judge Kareem Ezat sentenced the pair to 26 weeks jail each but suspended the terms for two years.

He said: ‘This easily crosses the custodial threshold.

‘I view your culpability as equal.

‘Commit an offence like this again and you will find yourselves in jail.’

The fraudsters were also ordered to perform 200 hours of unpaid work, pay £1803.19 compensation, a victim surcharge of £115, and £85 court costs.

Khan, of Atholl House, Maida Vale, and Nassib, of Salmon Street, Wembley, both admitted fraud by abuse of position and were handed suspended sentences.