Xahra Saleem, 23, who orchestrated the Black Lives Matter protests resulting in the toppling of the Colston statue in Bristol, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for fraud. 

Saleem admitted to misappropriating £70,000 in donations, primarily intended for the youth group Changing Your Mindset in St Pauls. 

Instead, she spent over £44,000 on personal expenses, including £5,800 on Uber rides, beauty treatments, clothing, takeaway deliveries, and mobile phones.

Despite the significant sum stolen, Saleem has been ordered to repay only £1, as she has reportedly spent all the stolen money. 

Bristol Crown Court issued the nominal repayment order, allowing the amount to increase if Saleem acquires funds in the future.

The court heard that Saleem received an initial payment of £30,653 from 588 individual donations, totaling £32,344. 

However, none of the intended funds reached Changing Your Mindset.

This case highlights the misappropriation of funds designated for social causes and prompts inquiries into the accountability mechanisms within activist movements.

Despite the substantial impact of the protests, the actions of individuals like Saleem undermine the credibility and integrity of such movements.