Baby-faced Nuneaton 'one man crimewave' finally behind bars after manhunt

Baby-faced Michael Leese was behind a 'dangerous one-man crime wave'
-Credit: (Image: Warwickshire Police)


A baby-faced Nuneaton 'one man crimewave' is finally behind bars. Michael Leese was on the run for months despite several police appeals including a £1,000 reward being offered by independent charity Crimestoppers to bring him to justice.

But his 'dangerous one man crimewave' came to an end on July 2 when officers searching for him in Keresley village received intelligence that a Ford Focus he had stolen earlier from Nuneaton earlier in the day was in the area. They spotted the car and a 13-minute chase started during which Leese hit speeds of 95mph in a 40mph area.

He also rammed a police car, collided with a bus, jumped a red light and drove on the wrong side of the road. But the pursuit ended when Leese’s car damaged a wheel and slowed down.

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A police car made 'tactical contact' with the car in Smorrall Lane, Bedworth which brought it to a stop and set off the airbags. Leese fled but was arrested following a short foot chase.

He was charged and later admitted three counts of burglary dwelling and theft; two counts each of attempted robbery and attempted burglary with intent to steal; and one count each of burglary, attempted theft of motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving, making off without payment, failing to stop, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

On Friday (October 11), the teen of no fixed abode was sentenced to four years in prison. Speaking after the case, Detective Inspector Sarah Wolsey from Warwickshire Police, said: "Leese was a dangerous one-man crime wave who has shown he won’t hesitate to use violence.

"The reduction of violent and acquisitive crime are priorities for Warwickshire Police and removing the likes of Leese from our streets will help us achieve this."

Leese's timeline of offences

March 31 2024

Leese broke into a house in Nuneaton. Nothing was stolen. Leese was identified from CCTV.

April 11 2024

Leese and another male attempted to steal a motorbike from a driveway in Keresley End. Leese was identified from CCTV footage.

May 2 2024

Leese approached a woman in Leicester Road, Rugby and demanded her car keys. He punched her numerous times in the arm leaving her with cuts. Members of the public chased Leese away and he fled empty handed. Leese was identified from a fingerprint left on the victim’s car.

May 9 2024

Leese walked through a side gate of a house in Kenilworth and demanded the victim’s car keys. He repeatedly punched the victim in the arm causing cuts and bruising.

June 4 2024

Leese used a slab to smash a patio window and enter a house in Keresley End where he stole car keys which he used to steal a Golf GTI. He also stole two watches. Leese was identified from CCTV.

June 16 2024

Leese broke into a house in Exhall where he stole car keys that he used to steal a BMW X5. Leese was identified from CCTV and following his arrest officers seized a hat that matched the one he was wearing in the CCTV.

June 17 2024

Leese has tried to gain access to a house in Nuneaton by kicking a door. He failed and left empty handed. He was identified from his clothing.

June 17 2024

The victim was at his home in Nuneaton when he heard a banging noise and looked to see Leese trying to break through his back door using a claw hammer. He challenged Leese who fled empty handed. Leese was identified through CCTV.

June 29 2024

The victim was called by a neighbour to say his house alarm was going off. He returned to his home in Nuneaton to find Leese had used a rock to smash a window and gain entry to his house. Leese stole car keys but did not take the car. He also stole cash. Following his arrest Leese was found in possession of the keys.

July 2 2024

Leese stole a Ford Focus from a driveway in Nuneaton. Leese was identified from CCTV. He stopped at a service station where he filled the car up with diesel and left without paying.

July 2 2024

This was when Leese was finally caught after being clocked in Keresley village in the stolen Ford Fiesta. He led the officers on a dangerous police chase.

This came to an end in Smorrall Lane, when officers 'tactically' stopped the car. Leese fled but was caught after a foot chase.

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