Walsall thief took church cash in crime spree

Simon Leake was today behind bars after carrying out a series of thefts and burglaries across Wolverhampton and Walsall.

The 38-year-old targeted St Joseph's Church in Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton, twice within days to steal the collections. Members of the church's congregation were so upset by the thefts they organised extra collections to raise £100 for each of the two causes, it was revealed today.

Father Craig Fullard, of St Joseph's Church, said: "It was very sad what happened. It upset a good number of members of the congregation."

Leake also twice broke into Poundstretcher in Walsall causing significant damage. He admitted committing nine crimes between November and early January.

Leake, of of Webster Road, Coalpool, Walsall, was sentenced to a total of 22 months in prison when he appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday.

His crimes started at Cut & Dry hair salon in Wednesfield on November 9 last year where he stole £480 worth of belongings including cash and mobile phones from two customers.

He then struck at St Joseph's Church on November 16, taking a poppy collection tin, and then returned a day later to steal money collected for the Philippines appeal.

On November 24, Leake took food and washing powder worth £71 from the Spa shop inside Walsall Manor Hospital.

He then stole a safe and TV from the community centre in Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, on December 8 before striking at Poundstretcher in Walsall twice in a week. He caused £1,000 of damage after smashing his way into the building on Jerome Retail Park on both December 20 and 25. He took deodorants before his final act which saw £30 of perfume taken from Wilkinsons, Park Street, Walsall, on January 5

In total he pleaded guilty to six thefts and three burglaries, and was out of prison on licence at the time, the court heard

Mr Tom Walkling , defending, said Leake had long-standing problems with heroin and crack cocaine. Following his release from prison last summer he had been in a hostel in Birmingham but moved out. He had been homeless for a while.

Sentencing him, Recorder Keith Raynor, said: "You went into St Joseph's Church and helped yourself to a poppy collection tin and its contents. Clearly people who contribute to the poppy appeal are showing their respects. It is particularly mean and wicked.

"The next day on November 17 you went into the church during a service and no doubt people at that service and others contributed to the Philippines appeal."