'Despicable' Harley cash thief jailed; COURTS.

Byline: JAN DISLEY

A MAN who stole a collection box with cash meant for a boy of four who had lost his limbs to meningitis has been jailed.

Heartless Gary Lomas, 24, snatched the pounds 60 from a shop counter and used it to buy vodka and food.

The cash was being collected in Salford for Harley Slack, of nearby Stockport.

Prosecutor Margaret McCormack said Lomas was caught on CCTV taking the box.

Lomas admitted the theft but told Salford magistrates he was drunk and didn't know who the box was for.

Relatives of Lomas were so appalled one later left pounds 60 at the shop, the court heard.

Jailing him for six weeks, judge Jonathan Feinstein branded Lomas "despicable".

Harley's fund currently stands at pounds 440,000 - which will go towards artificial limbs for the youngster.

Mike Hulton of The Harley Slack Fund said it was "fantastic" Lomas had been jailed, adding: "It's good to see the courts are doing their job."

CAPTION(S):

CAUGHT Lomas on CCTV