Leeds city centre restaurant burglar caught during break-in at Lamb and Flag

A CAREER burglar has been sent back to prison over his latest crime spree in which he targeted restaurants in Leeds city centre.
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Iain Thompson carried out raids at Brasserie Blanc, on Sovereign Street, Verve, in the Merrion Centre, and the Lamb and Flag, on Church Row.

Leeds Crown Court heard the father-of-seven was arrested at the scene of his final offence after triggering an alarm.

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Thompson smashed a window to get into Brasserie Blanc in the early hours of October 25 last year.

Iain Thompson was jailed for two years and four months.Iain Thompson was jailed for two years and four months.
Iain Thompson was jailed for two years and four months.

Robert Galley, prosecuting, said Thompson also used a piece of scaffolding to prise security bars apart.

The 48-year-old took £150 from a till and caused £240 worth of damage.

He was linked to the offence when he left his blood at the scene.

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Thompson then targeted Verve in the early hours of November 25.

Lamd and Flag, Church Row, Leeds.Lamd and Flag, Church Row, Leeds.
Lamd and Flag, Church Row, Leeds.

He caused over £5,000 worth of damage getting into the property but made off with just £5 from the till.

The burglary at the Lamb and Flag was carried out at 1.30am on November 28.

Thompson threw a concrete slab through the window of the listed building and set off an alarm once inside.

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Mr Galley said the defendant filled a rucksack with four bottles of Southern Comfort, a bottle of liqueur and a bottle of vodka.

He also stole a staff member's wallet

The defendant had managed to kick his way into the cellar by the time police arrived at the building.

Thompson, of Lincoln Green Road, Leeds, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and asked for a further count of burglary to be taken into consideration.

Mr Galley read a victim statement on behalf of the manager of the Lamb and Flag.

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He described how the incident had caused disruption for the business in the run-up to Christmas.

The smashed window was also costly to replace due to it being a listed building.

Thompson has served lengthy prison sentences for offences of burglary dating back to 1988.

Rukhshanda Hussain, mitigating, said: "He is a career burglar with a terrible record.

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"He knows that unless he stops offending he is going to get longer and longer sentences.

"At the time he committed these burglaries he was homeless and without work.

"In desperation, he reverted back to what he knew."

Thompson was jailed for two years and four months.

Judge Simon Phillips, QC, said: "You are an habitual burglar who has no doubt caused upset, distress and loss to others on a regular basis over a number of years.

"You have persisted in that way notwithstanding the courts sending you to custody for lengthy periods of time."