A THIEF stole a Poppy appeal collection box from a community mourning the loss of a soldier in Afghanistan.
William Fisher has been labelled a disgrace for snatching the loose change donated by customers at the Co-op store in Irlam, Salford. He was caught on CCTV emptying the £7 and poppies into his pockets. The box was later found dumped in a wheelie bin.
Opinion: Crass acts insult our fallen heroes
Just weeks ago, hundreds paid tribute to Fusilier Simon Annis from nearby Cadishead, who died trying to save his commander. Shops closed and locals applauded as his funeral procession arrived and left St John The Baptist Church in Irlam - the church where got married in February.
Gail Murphy, supervisor, at the store, said: "I always wear my poppy with pride every year, but this year is even more poignant because we lost a local lad in Afghanistan.
"We have a box of poppies on a shelf at the check-out and the box was tied to the chip and pin to deter people from stealing it. Taking it was a disgraceful thing to do."
Another member of staff said: "I was furious. We had seen old ladies and children putting in their loose change into the box. It was appalling what he did."
Who else has been locked up in November? Sentences and photo gallery
Brian Massey, vice president of the Legion for Greater Manchester, said the theft had left him feeling very annoyed and upset as the money was meant for young and ex-servicemen that served their country.
Fisher, 27, who has a string of convictions for shop theft, was jailed for four months at Salford magistrates.. The chairman of the bench, Mr Kevin Machell, told him: "Theft of a charity box causes distress to those people that have given the money and those that are to benefit from it.
"You say you are ashamed, you should be ashamed."
Detective Inspector Amber Plumbley said: "Clearly the thief has no respect for the trauma or hardship these families have had to endure and did not give a second thought to the fact he could have been depriving one of the country's most worthwhile charities of much-needed funds."
Heroin user Williams, who was living in a hostel in Salford, was on bail for another alleged offence when he took the box.
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Lets all hope they find out in prison what he did, theres plenty of ex-soldiers in prison who with any luck will make him feel most welcome.
on words can explain my thoughts on this person, they would not get printed anyway, send this scum bag to iraq and afghanistan, to be with our lads, and see how he likes it.
total; scum.
Scum, plain & simple.
you're all very harsh, he needs to be cared for and i'm sure is simply a misunderstood soul who doesn't need punishment but rehabilitation.
OR
Bang him up for a very long time, please
scum! find them and send them out on the front line on unpaid duty.
Heroine addicts should not get bail. They should be locked up in solitary going cold turkey.
4 months!! What a ridiculous country we live in. I'm going to an army boxing night soon with an army pal of mine. Can I take this piece of trash and the other scumbag who urinated on the memorial with me? Now I think we could sell that to Sky Box Office and the country would pay the fees to see those bouts. Then give the proceeds to the Poppy funds. Don't just put them in jail make them face those they disrespect.
What a poor man Fisher is, having to steal money that should be his anyway from from the hands of these misers at the British Legion!
Another example of someone who just takes from society despite never cotributing, bring back the death penalty.
I am waiting for the do gooder to say "It was only £7, so why the harsh sentence".
At last there appears to be a more reasonable sentence that has considered not just the sum involved but the level of 'offence/outrage'. Hope he has a few caring guards who are ex servicemen.
Mmm doesnt he look delighful. De-rigour shaven head and gormless look.
What a muppet.
Enough already said,Lets hope someome finds out in Prison what he is in for,then in a week or two when he is let out send to Afghanistan for a month or two or six
Stealing money from a Poppy collection??? Can this person ever contribute anything to society other way than being a parasite that the rest of us have to pay for, tolerate and then wait for him to come and rob/burgle/mug our Grannies?? Surely some things should be out of bounds even to garbage like William Fischer???
And people say that the birch is "DRACONIAN".They must be joking it was made for scum like this.This peice of dirt should be made to work for free for six months and every penny he is made to earn should be given to the charity.
People, why would we risk the welfare of our military by having this garbage alongside them... we shouldn't. He is not fit to lace boots.
Hope he's 'tucked up' for Christmas.
I was in an office block in Manchester yesterday and the security guard told me that the same had happened there, they have passed footage to the police who told them it's one of the known homeless and they will catch up with him in a couple of days
I hope Salford justice catches up with him when he gets out,scum like him should be sent out to the war zones our boys protect.Could we get him community service clearing mines maybe?
Do you think the army wants a smack head next to them in theatre? Nope.
Do you seriously think the death penalty is applicable when stealing £7??
There is an easy (not politically easy, not easy on the tiny brains of some on the board either). Legalise heroin for prescription so addicts can be treated properly, there's loads of evidence that this is far more effective than methadone treatment. Costs less too. Both in care and other items like sending people to prison and treatment on the NHS.
Before I get jumped on what I'm doing is offering a sensible, backed by science alternative to the knee jerk "hang them high" attitude seen from a great majority of the posters on here. I do not condone this mans actions or stealing, especially from charity.
Laura Norder, Didsbury
Scum like this dosnt mind being tucked up for xmas its just part of how they live,infact they get more while they are inside.That is why the birch and the work party to pay back will hurt them more,this kind of garbage dont like work they think that the world owes them everything.
Lets hope he chokes on the drugs he buys with the money
I have read of men who do far worse than this on a daily basis in the news.Is it just me thats getting a bit sick of 'our lads'stuff ,often from people who you know from comments on other stories have no respect for anyone on thier own doorstep,let alone fighting a war in other countries.Mind you it makes the arguement for legalizing drugs stronger.
Many of these comments are just downright hilarious!
Another peanut head with big ears!
He will be a drain on society for as long as he lives.
He needs a good beasting. Let him do his 4 months in the glass house!!
Low life!
I Hope you meet a 18stone ex solider who will show you the errors of your way's.
The way people get on anyone would think he'd killed someone. For goodness sake it's only £7, barely an hours work to most people.
Bob Hope it’s not the money but what it represents.