Woman Jailed After Boldly Snatching £750 from Man’s Pocket!

A drug-addicted woman has been jailed after stealing £750 from a man during a distressing theft at his home and later escaping police custody. Leanne Colby, 35, from Bilton Grove in east Hull, admitted to theft and escaping lawful custody on May 22, 2024. Originally charged with robbery, the prosecution accepted her guilty plea to theft instead.

Hull Crown Court heard that on the night of the incident, Colby had made six telephone calls to the victim at 10:38 pm. The man, who had been previously acquainted with Colby, heard someone rattling his letterbox and shouting her name outside his front door. Colby then forced her way into his flat and, without warning, reached into his jeans pocket, pulling out £750 in cash, reported Hull Live.

The police were alerted shortly after, and officers went to Colby’s home that same evening. However, Colby managed to escape arrest by breaking free from the police and running towards Pennine Way. Despite being wanted by authorities, Colby remained at large until she was finally apprehended on June 21, nearly a month later.

The victim, deeply affected by the theft, told the court that he had been taking sleeping tablets and paracetamol to cope with the stress. He expressed his fear that Colby would return and further harm him. “I am very worried that this will happen again,” he said.

Colby, who had a criminal history with 13 prior convictions, nine of which were for theft, was said to have fallen into a cycle of drug misuse. Her lawyer, Oliver Shipley, explained that Colby had once been a law-abiding citizen, but her involvement in crack cocaine had led to the theft and her subsequent poor decisions. “She knows that it’s simply not acceptable,” Mr Shipley added, noting that Colby had reflected on her actions during her time in custody.

Judge Alexander Menary noted the distress caused to the victim, emphasizing that £750 was a significant sum, particularly for the man. “This was a distressing and upsetting incident for your victim. He has lost out significantly financially,” said Judge Menary. After her escape from custody, Colby was again apprehended, and one of her associates even tried to help her escape by pulling a police officer’s arm.

Colby was sentenced to 18 months in prison and given a seven-year restraining order. Judge Menary concluded, “Immediate custody is the only option here.”