Burglar broke into Leeds city centre cocktail bar during lockdown

A burglar who broke into a Leeds city centre cocktail bar during lockdown has been jailed for 12 months.

Career crook Edward Naylor targeted the Below Stairs bar, on South Parade, while the premises was closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leeds Crown Court heard Naylor carried out the burglary some time between April 14 and April 16 this year.

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The 35-year-old forced his way into the property and stole cash from a till, bottles of alcohol and an amp.

Edward Naylor carried out a burglary at Below Stairs cocktail bar, on south ParadeEdward Naylor carried out a burglary at Below Stairs cocktail bar, on south Parade
Edward Naylor carried out a burglary at Below Stairs cocktail bar, on south Parade

Naylor also removed the hard drive from the bar's CCTV system in a bid to avoid being identified.

Around £1,000 worth of damage was caused during the raid and the property stolen was valued at around £300.

Naylor was linked to the offence after his fingerprint was recovered from a window pane.

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The defendant was arrested on April 30 and found in possession of a small amount of spice when he was searched in custody.

Naylor, of Cedar Place, Armley, pleaded guilty to burglary and possession of a class B drug.

He has at least 11 previous convictions for burglary and was out of prison on licence at the time of the offences.

Eddison Flint, mitigating, said Naylor committed the offence when he had been released from custody and was struggling to find accommodation.

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Mr Flint said his client was a drug user and was unable to obtain his prescription to control his addiction.

The lawyer said Naylor often went out begging in Leeds city centre but was unable to do so because of lockdown.

He added: "These are the actions of a man who was desperate at the time.

"He does seek to indicate that he is extremely remorseful for what he did."

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Judge Neil Clark told Naylor that the burglary offence was aggravated by the fact that it was carried out during lockdown.

He said: "People like you should know that an empty city centre is not a free-for-all for thieves."