Security Guard "In Trouble With His Mother" After Stealing Clothes From Harrods

A security guard who stole more than £11,000 worth of clothes from Harrods is "in trouble with his mum," a court heard.

Abdishakur Osman, 22, was sentenced to nine months in jail after admitting to taking clothing items valued at £11,753 from the Knightsbridge department store on June 15, 2023.

At Thames Magistrates' Court, Osman's lawyer, Alex Darke, explained that he did not want his mother to discover the stolen items at their Grays, Thurrock home, so a friend sold them instead. "He's in trouble with his mum, judge," Darke added.

Darke described the theft as a "spur-of-the-moment" act with little planning, but District Judge Susan Holdham dismissed this claim.

The court heard that Osman had been employed as a security guard at Harrods Studio in Islington, north London, which handles product imagery and descriptions for the store's online shop, managing up to 3,000 items a week, including ball gowns, fine jewellery, homewares, handbags, and teddy bears.

Prosecutor Ola Herbert told the court that stock had gone missing in July 2023 but was returned by Osman, prompting further investigations. A stock check revealed that over £11,000 worth of clothing had been stolen between June 14 and June 15, 2023. CCTV footage showed Osman selecting items from the stockroom, placing them into bags, and carrying them out.

Herbert said that while some items were recovered after the first theft, the clothing stolen during the second incident was not. The court also heard that Osman, a business student, faced difficulties at home and that the theft was financially motivated.

Addressing Osman, dressed in a light grey tracksuit, Judge Holdham said: "As far as I'm aware, you have not been in any trouble since. However, this is the theft of £11,753 worth of goods belonging to Harrods.

What makes it more serious is that you were employed there to protect these items and, in a gross breach of trust, stole them yourself. I also find it hard to believe this was solely to help your mother pay rent."

The Johnson Partnership, Nottingham