Burglar jailed after pleading guilty in court

One of three targeted properties was in Coalville.

A Leicester man has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a number of burglaries at shops across the county.

Leighton French, 28, of HMP Leicester, appeared at Leicester Crown Court today (Thursday 2 January) where he pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary.

He was sentenced to 31 months imprisonment.

Extensive damage was caused during the offences committed in October and November 2019 and large quantities of cigarettes and alcohol were taken from the targeted premises.

In the first burglary, which occurred overnight on 10 October, shutters were forced open and a glass door smashed at a shop in Shackerdale Road, Leicester. Entry was gained and a till containing a large amount of cash was taken along with cigarettes.

Shortly before midnight on 7 November, a resident of Charnwood Street, Coalville, raised the alarm when they were disturbed by a commotion in the shop below. In this instance three men were seen leaving the premises with what was described as a heavily laden rubble sack.

They left the scene in a Renault Megane which was discovered abandoned in Glen Parva the following morning.

An investigation of the car recovered a spot of blood which was later matched to Leighton French.

On 25 November entry was gained to a shop in Station Road, Countesthorpe. The cigarette cabinet was moved but nothing was taken.

A witness, disturbed by the noise, reported the incident saying the suspects left the area in a black Vauxhall Corsa.

Officers, who were nearby, spotted the car and followed it to Irlam Street where the occupants fled on foot. French returned to the vehicle, a short while later, where he was arrested.