Kurdish burglar 'tried to break into home of Labour peer Luciana Berger and stole £350 of family possessions'

A Kurdish man named Sarbast Lokman, 34, is facing multiple charges after allegedly attempting to break into the home of Labour peer Luciana Berger and stealing over £350 worth of personal belongings. The incident occurred in April 2026, during which Lokman reportedly visited the politician's London residence twice within a span of two days. According to court records, Lokman initially tried to gain entry to the house via the back door on April 11, but found it locked. Instead of entering, he allegedly took several items from the backyard, including a pair of designer Marc Jacobs sunglasses, two pairs of children's wellington boots, and other household items such as a first aid kit, an emergency blanket, and a green picnic blanket.

On the following day, Lokman returned to the property and managed to access a car parked outside the home. From there, he is accused of stealing additional items valued at £350, which include another set of wellington boots, a T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms belonging to a child, a gift-wrapped Neom candle, a bottle of car fluid, and some loose change. These allegations were presented during a hearing at the City of London Magistrates' Court, where the case against Lokman was outlined in detail.

Luciana Berger, now known as Baroness Berger, testified that she felt targeted by the incidents, citing her prominent position in the Jewish community and her status as a peer and former MP. She served as the Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree from 2010 to 2019, holding shadow ministerial roles under both Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn. Her political career took a dramatic turn in 2019 when she resigned from the Labour Party in protest against Corbyn's leadership, accusing the party of being institutionally antisemitic. After a brief stint with the short-lived breakaway party Change UK, she competed as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the 2019 general election, finishing second in the Finchley and Golders Green constituency.

In 2023, Berger returned to Labour under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer and was subsequently appointed as a life peer in the House of Lords, receiving the title Baroness Berger of Barnhill in the London Borough of Brent. This marks a significant shift in her political trajectory, reflecting her ongoing engagement with British politics despite past controversies.

Lokman's legal troubles extend beyond the incident involving Baroness Berger. He is also accused of attempting to burglarize a home in Enfield, north London, in March 2026. His initial trial date was scheduled for Thursday, but it was postponed to July 6 after it was discovered that a Kurdish interpreter had not been booked for the proceedings. Despite efforts by court staff to find an available interpreter at the last minute, these attempts proved unsuccessful.

During this adjournment, District Judge Annabel Pilling communicated the postponement to Lokman by typing out an apology and explanation on her tablet, translating the message using Google Translate, and displaying it to him. Lokman, who stated he is currently homeless but previously resided in North Finchley, north London, has denied all charges related to burglary, attempted burglary, and theft from a motor vehicle. As of May, he remains in custody awaiting his trial.

The case highlights broader issues surrounding criminal justice, language barriers in legal proceedings, and the impact of high-profile individuals on public perception of crime. It also underscores the complex political landscape in which figures like Luciana Berger navigate their careers, balancing personal convictions with public service. As the trial approaches, attention will likely focus on whether the legal system can effectively address the challenges posed by linguistic and cultural differences in its administration.