Ten thieves, burglars and robbers locked up this yearplaceholder image
Ten thieves, burglars and robbers locked up this year | SYP

Maggot brain, chocolate bandit and blood breadcrumbs: Ten thieves, burglars and robbers locked up this year

One of the lags had a maggot-infested brain abscess when she stabbed two shopworkers with a needle

By Ben McVay

Reporter

Published 4th Jul 2026, 05:18 GMT

Pictured here are crooks jailed for thieving, burgling and robbing across South Yorkshire in 2026.

One of the lags had a maggot-infested brain abscess when she stabbed two shopworkers with a needle.

Another nicked over £5,000 of chocolate from the same Sheffield store and in one case police followed a bungling burglar from his victim’s flat to his own in the same building.

Sticky-fingered Sheffield confectionary bandit Sherie Clarke snatched over £5,000 of chocolate from same store during 19 separate raids over a period of six months. Recorder Robert Ward told Sherie Clarke, 40, she had shown a “cocky” attitude and behaved as if she was “above the law”. Clarke, formerly of Aylward Road, Sheffield was jailed for three years and four months

5. Sherie Clarke

Sticky-fingered Sheffield confectionary bandit Sherie Clarke snatched over £5,000 of chocolate from same store during 19 separate raids over a period of six months. Recorder Robert Ward told Sherie Clarke, 40, she had shown a “cocky” attitude and behaved as if she was “above the law”. Clarke, formerly of Aylward Road, Sheffield was jailed for three years and four months | SYP

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“Dangerous” and violent James Walker was put back behind bars after robbing a shop assistant at knifepoint - having previously been jailed for beating a drug dealer to death. Walker, aged 41, pulled a 20cm kitchen knife on a terrified student behind the checkout at Sidcop Supermarket, Cudworth, Barnsley. The violent robbery came 14 years to the month after he was jailed for eight years after killing a drug dealer with two punches while in a “rage”. Jailing Walker for an eight-year and eight-month extended term for the robbery, Judge Graham Reeds KC told him: “I cannot see any other way to protect the public.”

6. James Walker

“Dangerous” and violent James Walker was put back behind bars after robbing a shop assistant at knifepoint - having previously been jailed for beating a drug dealer to death. Walker, aged 41, pulled a 20cm kitchen knife on a terrified student behind the checkout at Sidcop Supermarket, Cudworth, Barnsley. The violent robbery came 14 years to the month after he was jailed for eight years after killing a drug dealer with two punches while in a “rage”. Jailing Walker for an eight-year and eight-month extended term for the robbery, Judge Graham Reeds KC told him: “I cannot see any other way to protect the public.” | SYP

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Sheffield thief Codman snatched an £800 e-bike battery before fleeing in a Ford Fiesta and was found “slumped” behind the wheel in a Tesco carpark after crashing the getaway car into a shop window. “Intoxicated” Peter Codman, aged 44, had taken a heady cocktail of crack and heroin before the theft and after speeding away he was seen “swerving” into oncoming traffic. Codman, of Winster Road, Hillsborough, was jailed for two years and five months and handed a three-year driving ban.

7. Peter Codman

Sheffield thief Codman snatched an £800 e-bike battery before fleeing in a Ford Fiesta and was found “slumped” behind the wheel in a Tesco carpark after crashing the getaway car into a shop window. “Intoxicated” Peter Codman, aged 44, had taken a heady cocktail of crack and heroin before the theft and after speeding away he was seen “swerving” into oncoming traffic. Codman, of Winster Road, Hillsborough, was jailed for two years and five months and handed a three-year driving ban. | SYP

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Smith was snared by DNA after he left a trail of blood cutting himself breaking into a vets practice and snatching medication. The 42-year-old was out on bail for the January 8 break-in at Abbey Vets, Barnsley, when he raided the Miners Rest pub, also in Barnsley on March 12 - swiping a cash till containing £303 cash. Smith had 54 previous convictions for 106 offences, including 20 previous burglaries, the court heard.

8. Craig Smith

Smith was snared by DNA after he left a trail of blood cutting himself breaking into a vets practice and snatching medication. The 42-year-old was out on bail for the January 8 break-in at Abbey Vets, Barnsley, when he raided the Miners Rest pub, also in Barnsley on March 12 - swiping a cash till containing £303 cash. Smith had 54 previous convictions for 106 offences, including 20 previous burglaries, the court heard. | SYP

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