IT RELIES on fundraising and donations to help refugees and asylum seekers at their lowest. The story of how fraudster Saeeda Imaan conned more than £11,000 from charity Asylum Welcome is shocking.

Her actions also let down her colleagues - many of whom are volunteers - who trusted her as director of the group.

And ultimately the fraud left those most in need without the help they so desperately relied on.

Quite remarkably the court heard Imaan pressured the asylum seekers into lying and saying they had received payments. Money, it later transpired, was being pocketed by Imaan.

As the prosecutor in the case pointed out, the Oxford-based charity has a very small team working hard to give others advice and support.

The details of what Imaan did over a period of time would have been very hard to stomach - particularly for those dedicated to the cause.

For example the court heard she used some of the money to pay for her own rent, despite probably some of the people the charity helps not having anywhere to live.

And her crimes led to the charity almost having to close in the face of financial difficulties.

Thankfully it was rescued and let’s hope its reputation is able to recover after the fraud.

It should be known for the fantastic work it does and for those it helps, not a fraudster.