Serial Sheffield shoplifter who struck multiple times across city jailed

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court – sitting at Sheffield Crown Court – heard on May 11 how Leon Hodgkins, aged 37, admitted seven counts of theft from stores including an Asda, a Co-op and a Mega service station, in Sheffield.

Hodgkins, of Leighton Drive, Gleadless, Sheffield, was also found guilty after a previously heard trial in his absence of three more shop thefts from Asda.

Kirsty Pearson, prosecuting, said: “These are all very similar cases which were all picked-up on CCTV. The defendant is a persistent shoplifter.

“The three matters appearing in court in his absence were heard at a trial where witnesses gave evidence on October 22, 2019, and they were for three shop thefts from Asda.”

The seven admitted thefts were committed between October, 2019, and March, 2020, and the three thefts for which he was found guilty were committed in August and September. 2019.

Stolen items included beef joints, lamb joints, fresh meat and jars of coffee, according to the court.

Hodgkins also pleaded guilty to possessing three wraps of class A drug diamorphine, or heroin, from May 9.

Hester Russell, defending, said Hodgkins was released from prison and had been doing well but he lapsed into using drugs and became homeless. She added that he is sorry.

Ms Russell said: “He understands that with the plethora of dishonesty and with his antecedent history the most likely outcome is an immediate custodial term.”

District Judge Naomi Redhouse sentenced Hodgkins to 24 weeks of custody.