Blackburn man who keyed scammer’s Mercedes avoids jail.

A Blackburn man who had money redirected into his account by a fraudster has been spared jail time after “taking the law into his own hands.”

Said Amiri, of Hope Street, appeared in Preston Crown Court’s Sessions House, accused with one count of criminal damage.

The allegation stems from an event on March 21 in which the defendant knocked on Rafiq Master’s door, shouting and screaming.

After the police were summoned, he proceeded to Master’s Mercedes and used a key to cut marks into the vehicle, causing more than £6,200 in damage.

However, Judge Graham Knowles informed the prosecutor, Kiera Shaw, that Master was scheduled to be jailed later this month for his role in a £50,000 Universal Credit scam.

Master was accused of using Amiri’s, 37, account to transfer his unlawful funds after the defendant contacted him for assistance in applying for insurance. All charges against Amiri in relation to that case have now been withdrawn.

The court also heard how Master, of London Walk, Blackburn, gave police a false statement about the defendant, claiming that he was attempting to threaten him in reference to the case.

Judge Knowles stated, “You are correct that you should not take the law into your own hands, but you did.

“I take into account why you did it, as well as Master’s dishonest statement to the police. “Anyone would understandably be angry, but you should have left it to the courts.”

According to evidence presented by the probation service as part of a stand down report, Amiri was unhappy about the prior proceedings and had attempted to speak with him on multiple occasions, and the decision to key the car was made in the heat of the moment.

The court was also informed that Amiri had three children and worked six days a week to support them.

Georgia Faulke, defending, stated that her client was either going to kill himself or damage the automobile at the time of the incident due to the extreme stress he was experiencing.

Judge Knowles determined that a community order was the most appropriate punishment and ordered him to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.

He further stated that no compensation had to be made to Master because it would most likely be recovered after his sentencing on September 25.

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