‘Professional criminal’ caught stealing in Sheffield jailed

A ‘career criminal’ has been jailed for eight weeks after being found guilty of theft.

Sheffield Police said the conviction sends a “clear message” to anyone who thinks they can ignore court orders in South Yorkshire.

David Leadwood stole a £60 bottle of perfume from the Lush store in Sheffield city center on May 7. He was wanted on recall to prison at that time. The 48-year-old was arrested on the Moor on May 10 after he was caught leaving the store without paying on the store’s CCTV.

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He pleaded guilty to shoplifting and was sentenced at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 11 May. Leadwood’s offending was considered so serious that it warranted a prison sentence, as the number and nature of his offenses showed that he was “operating as a professional criminal”.

Case officer PC Antony Nicholls said: “This result sends a clear message to anyone who thinks they can ignore court orders or show a blatant lack of respect for the people and their property in South Yorkshire.

“Anyone who is a persistent repeat offender in our region will be caught and dealt with in the courts.”

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