While Mo won another gold medal last week, Omar Farah has been remanded in custody at London's tough Wandsworth Prison and will appear at crown court next month
By Ben Glaze
Sunday, August 17, 2014
The brother of Olympic hero Mo Farah has been locked up on remand after he was accused of a house break-in.
While inspirational athlete Mo celebrated winning gold in the 10,000m at the European Championships last week, brother Omar, 21, was behind bars charged with burglary with intent to steal.
Omar, who will appear in court next month, has previously told how Mo, 31, has supported him and offered him advice.
He said in December: “The friendship is still good.”
Last year he told the Sunday Mirror he was training to be a graphic designer and added: “I’m moving forward with my life and I have Mo to thank.
“My dad said, ‘Why can’t you be more like Mo?’ and that’s what I aim to do now.”
But 19 months later, Omar is being held at Britain’s biggest prison, Wandsworth jail in South West London.
He faces an allegation that he burgled a semi-detached house in Brentford, West London.
Omar was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames crown court on September 8.
Double Olympic gold medallist Mo, who performed his trademark Mobot after clinching victory in Zurich on Wednesday, is said to be aware of the accusation and is supporting Omar.
Omar has in the past spoken of his love for his older brother, who was awarded the CBE last year after winning the 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic titles for Great Britain at the London 2012 Games.
Speaking of Mo’s 10,000m triumph in the Olympic Stadium, he said: “Mo’s success has inspired me to do something with my life.
“The atmosphere was amazing. The whole place erupted and it was cool to hear everyone go mad for Mo, and for everyone to do the Mobot.”
He added: “I’ve held his medals. They’re pretty heavy.”
Omar was born in 1992, a year after dad Mukhtar fled Africa for a new life in Britain with Somalia-born Mo, who was eight and could not speak a word of English.
Mukhtar was forced to leave his wife and three of their six children behind.
After settling in West London, IT consultant Mukhtar met Omar’s mum Fosiya Mohamed.
Mo and Omar’s lives went in different directions as the older brother excelled in sport. But he always remained close to his family in the UK and Somalia.