'Grinch of Leeds' hid under trampoline after raiding homes for Christmas presents - Leeds Live

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The "Grinch of Leeds" who stole bottles of wine and Christmas presents was found hiding from police under a trampoline.

Thomas Poskitt, 27, targeted a number of homes in the Bramley area of Leeds in October last year, the city's Crown court heard on Tuesday. Prosecutor Emily Thorbjornsen told the court that during the first burglary in Lincroft Crescent, on October 8, the homeowner woke and followed three men outside his home before seeing his car being driven away.

Ms Thorbjornsen said prolific offender Poskitt then targeted a property in Victoria Park Avenue just a few days later on October 13. She said: "A man lives at the address and had one to bed around 10pm. Footage shows the defendant going to the property at 3.58am. Entry was gained through the front door just before 4.15am. One of the people entered while the other remained on watch outside.

"The person who went in came out with a handbag and both went through it. One person went in again and left with a number of gift bags and presents. In the morning, the victim and his wife discovered they had been burgled. Both doors were wide open and the door handle had been snapped off."

The couple discovered a number of Christmas presents with an estimated value of £1,000 had been taken, as had the man's mother-in-law's handbag, bottles of wine and £150 in cash. The court heard Poskitt, of Linton Avenue, and two others then targeted a property in Green Hill Mount on October 17. It was said a woman heard male voices and when she investigated saw "three men walking down the street looking at parked cars".

Ms Thorbjornsen said: "She called the police and went down and checked her side door and found it unlocked, but she had locked it. The door lock had been burnt off."

Poskitt was eventually found in Green Hill Drive, hiding underneath a trampoline. The court heard he had suffered serious injuries, including a scar to his leg, after being apprehended by a police dog. His Honour Judge Mansell KC said Poskitt was looking with his solicitor at issuing proceedings against West Yorkshire Police.

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Mitigating, Michael Walsh said a consultant in reconstruction and plastic surgery had written a report for the court, which also heard Poskitt had six previous convictions for 21 offences including theft, burglary, fraud by false representation ad taking a vehicle without consent.

Speaking of Poskitt's injuries, Mr Walsh said: "He is the author of his own misfortune."

Jailing Poskitt for three years for burglary, two counts of theft, taking a vehicle without consent and attempted burglary, Judge Mansell said: "You sustained injuries to your leg from the policed dog biting you more than once. I have seen photographs of your injuries. Your solicitors are going to issue proceedings against West Yorkshire Police for the injuries caused to you.

"It may be in due course that they are successful and you receive some compensation but that doesn't concern me and I can't pass any judgement on what happened that night...You knew what you were risking and can't complain not. It is not a case that could merit a suspended sentence."

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