Ex-councillor jailed over theft

A former Labour councillor has been jailed for stealing money intended for needy children in east London.

Nasir Uddin, 33, of East Ham, siphoned off £30,000 from charitable groups promoting education and recreation in cash-strapped Tower Hamlets.

He then squandered the money on hotels, jewellery and his television company.

Uddin was jailed for 18 months after admitting 14 counts of theft between 2001 and 2003 involving nearly £30,000 belonging to the Youth Action Scheme.

Two fellow community workers were also jailed for their part in the theft.

Uddin's brother, Ain, 32, of Limehouse, was sentenced to 11 months after he admitted four similar charges amounting to about £10,000 over the same period.

Shalim Khan, 30, from Wapping, was convicted at an earlier trial of four counts of theft involving £5,500 from Kehla Limited, an offshoot of the youth scheme. He was jailed for 12 months.