Jail for 'shameless' Leeds burglar who tunnelled into a neighbour’s cellar to steal property

Josef Ziga was sentenced to three years six months at Leeds Crown Court yesterday (July 20) after pleading guilty to a burglary in Leeds in January.

The court heard that the 51-year-old had removed brickwork separating his property and an adjoining one to gain access to its cellar area.

He made several trips into the property between January 11 and January 16 and removed property including power tools and hand tools.

The thefts were discovered by the occupier who called Leeds District Police.

Ziga was arrested shortly afterwards but claimed another party had been responsible.

Investigative work by officers who were suspicious of his account and demeanour was able to disprove his claims, however.