A former manager of a Carpetright store in Oxford has avoided prison after pleading guilty of fraud, stealing over £26,000 from the retailer.

First appearing before Oxford Magistrates Court on 20 August 2024, Anhar Ali, from Oxford, admitted to committing a number of fraudulent activities to the sum of £26,056 over a period that stretched from 19 November 2020 to 13 May 2022.

During this time, Ali was a deputy manager at the carpet retailer and also manager of the Oxford branch. He admitted abusing his position and theft by employee.

Ali was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on 19 September 2024, where he was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and was made subject to a curfew.