Violent prolific shop thief who stole RAF Club furniture admits guilt and is due for sentencing

By Nub News Reporter 9th Jul 2025

A 46-year-old Grays man has admitted stealing from a number of shops in Grays and Corringham.

Lee Britchford, of Southend Road, was arrested by a Thurrock neighbourhood policing officer on 28 June and was subsequently identified in CCTV footage from various locations.

He appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court on 30 June, where he also admitted stealing a patio table and chairs from Grays RAFA Club in Southend Road on 25 June.

The first theft took place at 1.25am on Wednesday morning and the thieves returned around the same time this morning (Thursday, 26 June) and completed the haul.

Then the table:

The court heard that he had stolen food and laundry products on 13 different occasions from Aldi, Farm Foods, Greggs, Morrisons and Tesco in Grays, and from Morrisons in Corringham between 19 April and 26 June.

As well as the 14 thefts, Britchford also admitted committing two common assaults, on 19 May and 21 June 2025.

He is due to appear at the same court on 1 August for sentencing.

     

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