Lee Richards
Theft, assault and criminal damage *
Sentence
24 weeks imprisonment
Lee Richards, 45, from Barnstaple, engaged in a spree of offences between August and December 2025, including thefts from JD Sports, Co-op, and M&S, assault, and criminal damage. On October 1, 2025, he entered NatWest bank in Barnstaple with a woman attempting to withdraw money, shouted abuse at a staff member, tried to headbutt him, and refused to leave, forcing the bank to close. On December 2, 2025, at Texaco garage on Pilton Causeway, he was challenged for pocketing alcohol, leading to a tussle where he threw cans and glass bottles at the retreating staff member, hitting the victim on the head and causing him to lock himself in a back office.
Banned from Marks and Spencer, ordered to stay away from Co-op and Texaco garage on Pilton Causeway, not to get intoxicated in public or enter other banned shops. Given a 3-year criminal behaviour order. Pleaded guilty. Has ADHD, history of drug use, committed offences while drunk, previous convictions for similar offences. District Judge Stuart Smith noted it was a collection of offending and the petrol station attack was terrifying.