Leigh McGrath guilty to more than $180k in theft and drug-driving offences in Dandenong Court

A tatted up Narre Warren South crook has been busted stealing more than $180k in luxury items, including imported wine, a karaoke machine, bags and cars.

Leigh McGrath pleaded guilty to more than 50 charges in Dandenong Court after stealing more than $180k in property from a Glen Waverley home in 2023. Picture: Facebook.

A tatted up Narre Warren South concreter with expensive tastes stole luxury cars, jewellery, handbags and a karaoke machine worth more than $180,000 during a wild crime spree.

Leigh McGrath pleaded guilty in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on March 28 to more than 50 charges.

In court documents seen by the Herald Sun, the charges against McGrath dated back to January 2022, when he was seen driving while unlicensed and on meth in Clayton.

On December 21 in 2022, McGrath was seen riding a black Harley Davidson in Frankston again unlicensed and on meth.

McGrath was busted driving with meth in his system on several occasions, once even with an ice pipe in his car.

He was caught in Rowville on January 9 in 2023, driving disqualified in a Volkswagen Golf TSI with false plates.

McGrath’s offending continued on June 29 when he was caught driving disqualified in Cranbourne North in a stolen BMW with an axe, a wooden bat, two grams of meth and an ice pipe inside the car with him.

On October 10, McGrath broke into a car in Officer South to steal a Milwaukee drill and grinder, other assorted tools, three bank cards and a HP laptop.

He appeared in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court via video link. Picture: Valeriu Campan

He used two of the stolen cards at different service stations on the same night.

McGrath attracted police attention again on December 14 when he was seen
“loitering at a car wash”.

Officers found McGrath with a black balaclava, cutting pliers, door unlocking tools and glass/metal breakers.

He told police the balaclava was a “sex toy”.

McGrath continued his crime wave between December 15 and December 19, breaking into a Mount Waverley home, where he stole $84,998 worth of items, including luxury handbags and clothing, technology, jewellery, a karaoke machine and alcohol.

McGrath will appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on April 17 for sentencing, but will remain in custody until then.

McGrath and unknown co-offenders also made off with two luxury cars valued at $90,000 combined.

Officers caught up with McGrath on January 10 this year, when they raided his Narre Warren South home.

Investigators found numerous stolen items in McGrath’s bedroom, including three laptops, an iPhone, a Louis Vuitton bag and a black Microsoft laptop bag.

McGrath will return to Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on April 17 for sentencing.