Two jailed for stealing and handling stolen goods in Harborough

Paul Parkes, 29, of Andrew MacDonald Close, Market Harborough, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Friday (October 7), where he admitted the offences and was sentenced.

He pleaded guilty to theft from a store, in High Street, on October 6 and to handling stolen goods taken in a burglary in St Mary’s Road on 13 September. He was also in breach of a suspended sentence.

Danielle Panter, 21, also of Andrew MacDonald Close, has been sentenced to 22 weeks in prison for theft.

She pleaded guilty to a theft in High Street, two in St Mary’s Road, and one in The Lane, which happened on September 29.

Two other people have also been arrested and charged in a major and ongoing crackdown on crimes being committed against retail outlets in the town, which have sparked understandable concerns and anxiety in the area, particularly among businesses.

*Alison Geekie, 28, of St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, has appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court charged with theft from a store in Adam and Eve Street on 6 October. She admitted this offence, but denied a further charge of common assault at the same location. She is awaiting a further court date.

*A 24-year-old man has been arrested for burglary at premises, in High Street and St Mary’s Place, on 2 October. He has been released on police bail, with conditions of abiding by a curfew.

Anyone with information about stolen goods or burglaries in the Market Harborough area should contact Leicestershire Police, quoting Operation Lakeside, on 101.