Leeds Crown Court round-up: 'Menace' cheese thief and heartless man who stole from friend sentenced this week

Leeds Crown Court also heard the cases of an out-of-work joiner caught dealing drugs, a drug driver who led police on a death-defying chase and a cannabis producer.

Those sentenced at Leeds Crown Court this week included:

Richard Lee Hazelgrave

A convicted thief has avoided jail after failing to attend a probation appointment – even after an officer said he would drive him there. Richard Lee Hazelgrave, 43, of Seaforth Terrace, Harehills, was handed the community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement in March, after being convicted of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, failing to stop after an accident and three counts of thefts of plants from Asda in Killingbeck.

Ramazin Joka

Hundreds of cannabis plants were discovered across two neighbouring Leeds properties after a police were called to a drunken incident. Officers were called to Hares Terrace in Chapeltown on December 5 to find Ramazin Joka in the street, intoxicated and shouting. The 51-year-old admitted producing cannabis during a hearing at Leeds Crown Court this week.

Anthony Pearson

A drug addict who stole hundreds of pounds from a friend that had been raised for a funeral is starting a lengthy jail term. Anthony Pearson, 35, of High Street, New Sharlston, snatched the handbag from the kitchen table after visiting the woman’s house in Normanton, a person he had known all of his life and whom he considered a family friend.

Jon Marcus Butterworth

An out-of-work joiner who was caught dealing drugs in Harehills has avoided custody, despite a lucrative cannabis-growing operation being found at his home. Jon Marcus Butterworth, 24, was caught with half-a-kilogramme of the drug on him when he tried to flee police. Officers later uncovered a grow worth up to £25,000 at his home on Hudson Grove, complete with timers, fans and ventilation equipment.

Robert Bampton

A Leeds thief stole more than £26,000 worth of electrical equipment, clothes and food during a month-long crime spree. Leeds Crown Court heard how Robert Bampton, 34, had fallen into using drugs, and stole several times from businesses based in Leeming House, Leeds city centre. At one point, the former chef, of of Stratford Street, Beeston, even broke into a supermarket in the early hours and filled a wheelie bin with wine and cheese.

Marcus Zacardelli

A driver high on drugs led police on a death-defying chase around Leeds, reaching speeds beyond 100mph in 30mph built-up areas. Marcus Zacardelli, 20, of Gilpin View, Upper Wortley, was already on a suspended sentence when he tried to outrun police on the evening of May 23 last year. He went through a red light before joining the M621 on the wrong side heading head-first into oncoming traffic.