Prolific Offender Sentenced

A prolific burglar was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court for nine offences committed in North Warwickshire, including in the rural areas, between March 2019 and February this year. 

 The Rural Crime Team were part of a number of departments within the force who worked on bringing this offender to justice.

48-year-old Lea Jon Hiatt, of no fixed abode, appeared at Warwick Crown Court on 16 June.

The Court heard that on 6 February 2021 officers patrolling the A5 identified a suspected stolen vehicle and attempted to bring it to a stop. Hiatt was the driver and tried to evade capture, driving at speeds of up to 95 miles per hour, turning off headlights and using the wrong side of the road before crashing into a tree in Baddesley Endsor.

Hiatt caused significant injuries to himself during the impact and required hospital treatment.

At the time, Hiatt was wanted by police for several burglary offences, including farms, which he was subsequently arrested for.  He was charged on 17 February 2021 and remanded in custody prior to his appearance in court.

Hiatt pleaded guilty to five burglary related offences; two counts of Attempted burglary, Burglary – dwelling, Burglary – other than dwelling and going equipped to steal. He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and receiving stolen goods.

He was sentenced to a total of 66 months in prison for the nine offences.

PC Daniel Stanton said “In his attempts to escape justice Hiatt has acted recklessly with little thought for himself and total disregard to the danger he posed to members of the public.