Man jailed following series of thefts

A prolific offender has been jailed following a series of thefts in Leek.

Lee Beard, 49, of Portland Street, Leek was sentenced at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Thursday (8 December) to 38 weeks behind bars after pleading guilty to 20 counts of theft from a shop, burglary other than dwelling – theft and using threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour with intent to cause fear of / provoke unlawful violence.

The court heard how Beard committed a number of thefts from shops in Leek between October 2022 and December 2022.

On 30 October, Beard entered a supermarket on West Street, Leek, just after 8.35am where he stole beef and lamb steaks and three deodorants totalling £65.

On 3 November, Beard made verbal threats to a man at a supermarket on Buxton Road, Leek, after attempting to leave the store with unpaid goods.

On 12 November, Beard entered the same supermarket store on West Street, Leek, just before 9am and stole cheese and meat products, worth £50.

On Thursday (1 December), Beard stole razor blades from a supermarket on Springfield Road, Leek.

The court also heard how Beard entered a premises on 10 April 2021 in Hanley where he stole £50 in cash, supplements worth more than £900 and damaged a window.

Inspector Darren McGrath, of Staffordshire Moorlands Local Policing Team, said: “I am pleased that the magistrate recognised the seriousness of Beard’s offending and saw fit to send him to prison.

“I hope this brings comfort to his multiple victims and reassures the community that we are doing all we can to identify and deal with prolific offenders.”

To report a crime in your area, message us on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or call 999 in an emergency.