Prison for thief found hiding in a wheelie bin

Benjamin Holladay was jailed for three years and nine months for the offences in Beeston in Leeds. Holladay, 30, broke into the house on Woodlea Mount, Beeston, on January 2 this year and stole Christmas presents and the keys to a Ford Focus which was parked outside before driving off in the vehicle, but he was seen by officers nearby after the homeowners alerted police.

Leeds Crown Court heard Holladay then sped off, reaching speeds of up to 50mph in busy residential streets. He also drove on pedestrianised areas and down a flight of steps before taking the vehicle across a field. The police helicopter was also brought into the pursuit before Holladay, of Wesley Croft, Beeston, abandoned the vehicle and ran off, but officers found him hiding in a wheelie bin. He was also found with a small amount of cannabis.

The court heard Holladay was also responsible for the theft of three denim jackets, worth around £300, at Debenhams in the White Rose Centre on Christmas Eve. Security staff tried to catch him but he managed to escape. After being arrested, he admitted travelling in the stolen car but denied being the driver. He pleaded guilty to burglary, dangerous driving, theft and possession of cannabis.

The court heard Holladay has appeared before the courts on 28 occasions for 79 offences. Sajid Majid, defending, said the defendant had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and co-operated with police.

Jailing Holladay, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, said: “You have a long history of addiction to drugs and you have funded that by offences of dishonesty.”