Jail for man who stole cancer and dog charity boxes from pubs

A man from Merthyr has been jailed for eight and a half months for stealing charity boxes from pubs.

Last weekend, Mark Leigh, 56, went on a pub crawl in the Aberaman area- but instead of enjoying a pint or two, he helped himself to two charity boxes from pub counters and also attempted to steal a third.

Officers identified Leigh as the offender and on Tuesday (2 May) arrested and charged him with theft and attempted theft. He was remanded until his sentencing the next day.

At Merthyr Magistrates Court on Wednesday (3 May), Leigh was sentenced to eight and a half months in prison after pleading guilty to theft and attempted theft.

Police Constable Tom Evans, who led the case, said:

“Leigh is an opportunist thief. The charity boxes stolen were collecting money for a cancer charity and a dog charity – of which the public had donated to in good faith.

“We hope this sentence will give him an opportunity to reflect on his actions and help him start a life without the need to commit crime.”