Suspended sentence for thief who plagued stores

A HUNGRY Batley thief who tormented supermarket workers and stole beef and deodorant has narrowly avoided a jail sentence.

- By SOPHIE CORCORAN

Lee France, 44, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Monday to be sentenced for 24 offences - including multiple thefts.

The court heard how he targeted the Tesco Express in Bradford Road, Batley, plus a nearby Co-Op and an Aldi repeatedly over the course of his crime spree between March and July this year.

Prosecutor Ben Sayers told the court that on March 30 this year, France, of no fixed address, entered Aldi and stole £100 worth of items. He had already stolen from the laundry aisle at the Tesco and washing detergent from a Co-Op.

Mr Sayers said at the hearing: “On the fourth of April at the Tesco he put razors in his trousers. He was confronted by security guards and used some aggression and made off with the item.”