AN asylum seeker and his homeless friend stole £6,500 from a man who helped them in their hour of need, York Crown Court heard.

Karma Melly, prosecuting, said a 66-year-old man suffering from Parkinson’s Disease took in Robert Onyemakonor Ehima when he had nowhere to stay and helped Yusuf Mohamed to remain in this country.

But the two Africans used his bank card without his permission on 18 occasions in October and November 2010 and took £6,500 out of his account.

Then, when they were released on bail after the thefts were discovered, Ehima, together with a third man, Omoruyi Brown Ehima, attacked a car thief with a baseball bat.

When all three offenders appeared in court for sentence the 66-year-old man supported the two thieves from the public gallery.

Recorder Jeremy Barnett told Robert Ehima and Mohammed: “I think both of you are incredibly privileged and lucky to have the attention of someone like him who has been prepared to give his time, effort and home and work in order to try and keep you out of trouble.”

Robert Ehima, 23, of Pockley, near Helmsley, was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months on condition he does 75 hours’ unpaid work. He admitted theft and affray and must pay £400 compensation.

Mohammed, 19, also of Pockley, was given a 12-month community order with 75 hours’ unpaid work after admitting theft. He must pay £2,500 compensation.

Omoruyi Ehima, 24, of Manor Drive, Pickering, was given a three-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months on condition he does 75 hours’ unpaid work.

Miss Melly said on March 26, last year, Robert Lyon broke into a car parked by the A170, near Kirkbymoorside, because he had seen it parked in the same place on other days and thought it had been abandoned.

But it belonged to one of the three men, and they drove past while Mr Lyon was stealing from it. Robert Ehima attacked him and then set about him with a baseball bat given him by Omoruyi Ehima.

Mr Lyons suffered minor injuries.

For Robert Ehima, Glenn Parsons said his client had been out of trouble since March 2011.

Martin Sharpe, for Mohammed, said his client came to England from Zanzibar as a child and when he turned 16 had no legal standing in this country. He committed the theft to pay drug debts and was still employed by the 66-year-old man.

For Omoruyi Ehima, Taryn Turner said he had turned his life around since the attack.