Habitual Corby thief stole a car and booze worth nearly £700
A Corby criminal has been given another jail term after being caught driving a stolen car.
Phillip Leitch, who has been offending in the town for years, has been jailed on multiple occasions for theft and assault offences.
The 37-year-old is now back behind bars after stealing a blue Nissan Qashqai in the town on February 4. Two days later he was seen driving the car in George Street, Corby, without insurance. Leitch, of Dumble Close, also has no driving licence.
He was before magistrates after being arrested by local cops, and pleaded guilty to the three motoring offences as well as two theft offences.
Northampton Magistrates Court heard that Leitch went into Morrisons in Oakley Road on January 30 and walked out with alcohol worth £277.50. The following day, on January 31, he took alcohol to the value of £418.50 from Tesco in Oakley Road.
He was given eight weeks in prison and ordered to pay £696 in compensation to the two shops. His driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.
Leitch, who was declared a wanted man in March 2025 after breaching the terms of his most recent prison sentence. He was eventually recalled to prison after police caught up with him.
Police have previously said that they believe a hardcore of local thieves are stealing in bulk to order. They say the items are then sold off in independent shops or other outlets.