‘Despicable’ Poppy Day thieves jailed
A GANG of professional shoplifters who used a child to help them steal Poppy Appeal tins have each been jailed for two years.
Lee Smith, his girlfriend Lisa Martin and Gareth Smith (no relation) were branded despicable by a judge.
The trio stole five Royal British Legion collection boxes as they targeted shops across Leicestershire in the week before Remembrance Day.
On one occasion, Martin, who has two children by Lee Smith, sat a child on the counter at a Morrisons store in Melton Mowbray, concealing the charity box.
Lee Smith cut the security cord and as Martin collected her purchases, Gareth Smith removed the box and the three of them left the store together.
The three, of Loughborough, Leics admitted theft at Leicester Crown Court
The three, of Loughborough, Leics, who had more than 300 previous convictions, admitted theft at Leicester Crown Court.
Judge Simon Hammond told them they had “sunk as low as you can go”. He added: “To steal British Legion charity boxes is utterly despicable.”
Their haul also included alcohol, meat, cosmetics, sun tan lotion and razor blades.