A person who organized a Black Lives Matter protest is now facing a two-and-a-half-year jail term for using her public profile to raise money for charity but misappropriating it for personal use. Xahra Saleem, currently 23 years old, had gained prominence as a participant in the BLM march in Bristol in 2020, which was a response to the tragic death of George Floyd, a black man, at the hands of the police in the US.
Hailing from Romford, East London, Saleem admitted guilt to the charge of fraud. She had abused her position as the director of Changing Your Mindset Ltd by transferring funds into her personal bank accounts and subsequently spending the money between June 2020 and September 2021.
Judge Michael Longman, during the sentencing at Bristol Crown Court, noted that Saleem had gained significant attention due to her BLM involvement and had used it, with the help of others, to raise funds supposedly aimed at supporting young people in the St. Paul's area of Bristol. However, the judge criticized Saleem, saying she used the money not for the benefit of the cause but to finance a lifestyle she couldn't otherwise afford.
According to the prosecution, over the 15 months leading up to September 2021, more than 2,500 payments were made from Saleem's account for various expenses, including general shopping, bills, a new iPhone, hair and beauty appointments, clothing purchases, Amazon transactions, taxis, and takeout meals.
Saleem appeared to be deeply committed to the cause and was considered trustworthy. She collaborated with community worker Rebecca Scott to set up the BLM march. In gratitude, she offered to create a fundraising page, which went live in 2020, with the funds raised intended for projects benefiting young people in St. Paul's.
A youth organization called Changing Your Mindset Ltd was established with a charitable purpose, and Saleem became a director. However, setting up a business account proved challenging at the time. When the funds raised exceeded expectations, the decision was made to deposit it into Saleem's personal account temporarily, with trust that she would secure the money until a better arrangement could be made. Eventually, a business account was established in April 2021, but the money was not transferred, and Saleem provided excuses for the delay.
The prosecution revealed that Saleem had transferred several hundred pounds into a relative's account in July 2020, with the message "Fred, hold it for me please." After that, the defendant used the funds without replenishing the account. Saleem later admitted that the money was gone but offered contradictory excuses for its disappearance. She also considered reporting herself to the police but didn't follow through.
In June 2021, WhatsApp messages were found where Saleem discussed the fraud with a friend and drafted apology messages on her phone. Saleem claimed to have suffered from psychosis, which impaired her ability to think rationally. Changing Your Mindset has since ceased its operations.
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