Norwich Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 32 verdicts at Norwich Magistrates' Court (Norwich). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

January 2026 2 cases

James Connell-Shaw

Failing to meet the welfare needs of animals *

Sentence

9 weeks imprisonment

James Connell-Shaw, 29, of Coronation Avenue in Nordelph, failed to meet the welfare needs of two dogs, Princess (staffie cross boxer) and Talula (female staffie), by not providing a suitable environment, adequate care and supervision, and failing to address ear infections in Princess. The RSPCA attended his home multiple times due to reports of the dogs being left unattended in a filthy property. The outdoor area was dirty and cluttered with overflowing bin bags, broken furniture, glass, and soiled mattresses. Inside, the kitchen lacked flooring and was untidy with rubbish, and the living room had shut curtains. Officers sealed the property and later obtained a warrant to enter. Upon entry, they found piles of faeces and urine in the living room and utility room, with scratch marks on the door. The bathtub contained dirty blankets and fabric. Both dogs were rescued and examined by a vet, who confirmed Princess had suffered from a significant chronic ear infection for at least two weeks and neither dog had access to a suitable environment for normal behaviour.

Pleaded guilty to failing to meet the welfare needs of two dogs. District judge commented that the dogs were sentient living creatures treated abominably. Also given a ten-year ban on keeping all animals and ordered to pay a £134 victim surcharge.

16 Jan 2026

Leon Dowd

Assaulting a police officer *

Sentence

7 days imprisonment and £100 compensation

Leon Dowd, a man from King's Lynn, was arrested on Monday, January 6, 2026, during a police search as he was wanted on recall to prison. He assaulted a police officer during the incident. He was subsequently charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer.

Charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer. Wanted on recall to prison. Prior similar offence in November.

7 Jan 2026

October 2025 2 cases

Faruc-Emilian Alexandru

Theft from shops *

Sentence

30 weeks imprisonment and £1,378.50 compensation

Faruc-Emilian Alexandru, 36, of Cromwell Road, Peterborough, committed eight offences of theft from shops between September 2024 and October 2025 in King's Lynn, Cambridgeshire, and Nottinghamshire. The thefts included 25 cases of energy drinks worth £250 and 38 tubs of chocolate worth £168 from a store in Lynn, as well as other items worth more than £2,600 in total across multiple locations.

Pleaded guilty to eight charges of theft from shops.

13 Oct 2025

Viorel Constantin

Theft from shops *

Sentence

£440 costs and compensation

Viorel Constantin, 37, of Alma Road, Peterborough, committed two offences of theft from shops between September 2024 and October 2025 in King's Lynn, Cambridgeshire, and Nottinghamshire. The thefts were part of a series involving items worth more than £2,600 in total, including from stores in Lynn town centre.

Pleaded guilty to two charges of theft from shops.

13 Oct 2025

September 2025 4 cases

Patrick Maughan

Theft *

Sentence

8 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years and fined £4,385

Patrick Maughan, 44, of Gapton Hall Road, Great Yarmouth, and Hannie Flynn were involved in nine shoplifting incidents at supermarkets in Victoria Road, Diss, between October 17, 2024, and March 27, 2025. They were captured on CCTV taking a large number of toothbrush heads and Nicorette patches. Maughan was arrested on July 18, 2025, and Flynn on September 24, 2025.

Charged with nine counts of theft. Sergeant Flello noted the pair thought they could evade detection by leaving the county after each offence.

26 Sep 2025

Hannie Flynn

Theft *

Sentence

8 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years and fined £4,385

Patrick Maughan, 44, of Gapton Hall Road, Great Yarmouth, and Hannie Flynn, 56, of Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, were involved in nine shoplifting incidents at supermarkets in Victoria Road, Diss, between October 17, 2024, and March 27, 2025. They were captured on CCTV taking a large number of toothbrush heads and Nicorette patches. Maughan was arrested on July 18, 2025, and Flynn on September 24, 2025.

Charged with nine counts of theft. Sergeant Flello noted the pair thought they could evade detection by leaving the county after each offence.

26 Sep 2025

Mark Wilson

Shoplifting *

Sentence

2 weeks imprisonment

Mark Wilson, a 38-year-old man with links to King’s Lynn, was arrested after attempting to steal raincoats worth £339 from Mountain Warehouse in Norwich. He was wanted on recall to prison for breaching the terms of his licence and appeared in court, where he admitted the offence. The court determined that the offence was serious enough to warrant immediate imprisonment.

Pleaded guilty. The court justified the custodial sentence due to his flagrant disregard for people and their property. No compensation was ordered as the raincoats were recovered.

19 Sep 2025

Daniel Eldridge

Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal *

Sentence

12-month community order with 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days and 120 hours of unpaid work, £1,000 in costs, and banned from owning dogs for two years

Daniel Eldridge caused unnecessary suffering to a Patterdale Terrier named Spud by using it for badger hunting at a farm in Marshland St James and failing to seek veterinary care for severe facial injuries, including skin avulsions from the lips and chin, likely caused by a badger bite. The injuries occurred between December 1 and 4, 2021, and January 11 and 15, 2023, resulting in the dog suffering for at least three to four days without pain relief. Additionally, evidence showed he illegally docked the tails of six puppies, a procedure not permitted under the law.

Pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The judge remarked on his deliberate disregard for the dog's welfare. In mitigation, his lawyers claimed the incidents occurred during legal hunts and noted his good character, brain injury from 2018, and reflection on actions.

18 Sep 2025

May 2025 1 case

Craig Bragg

Burglary *

Sentence

8 weeks imprisonment

Craig Bragg, 30, of Tennyson Avenue, burgled two town businesses over the recent bank holiday weekend by breaking into a building on King Street and stealing over £1,500 worth of items, including laptops and electricals.

Admitted to breaking into a building. The vast majority of stolen goods were recovered and returned to the owners.

29 May 2025

February 2025 1 case

Ruby Smith

Theft from shops *

Sentence

26 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 24 months

Ruby Smith stole almost £3,000 worth of Jellycat soft toys from garden centres in Bressingham, Wroxham, and Thetford between 25 July and 23 September 2024. CCTV captured her placing toys into her bag, clothing, or a child's pram before leaving without payment. Approximately 40 toys seized from her home in Eye on 14 November 2024 following a warrant.

Pleaded guilty at a previous hearing. Also subject to electronic monitoring for three months, ordered to pay £1,400 compensation and £154 victim surcharge, participate in accredited programme for 40 days, and rehabilitation activity programme for up to seven days.

17 Feb 2025

December 2024 1 case

Wayne Gould

Drink driving *

Sentence

16 weeks in prison, disqualified from driving for a further 36 months, £154 victim surcharge

At around 1.10am on Christmas Eve, Wayne Gould drove a Volvo V40 out of Wilberforce Road in Norwich, narrowly avoiding an oncoming vehicle. Police stopped him; he provided a positive roadside breath test of 87 micrograms (legal limit 35). Driving licence checks showed he was disqualified from driving since November 2024 and had no insurance. He failed to provide an evidential breath sample in custody.

Previously sentenced in November 2024 for other driving offences and disqualified from driving.

24 Dec 2024

November 2024 1 case

Carl Byford

Handling stolen goods *

Sentence

8 months imprisonment

Carl Byford, 39, of Aldershot, Hampshire, was the driver of a vehicle stopped during Operation Silent in November 2024. He was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. Banned from driving for 41 months and ordered to pay £187 in costs.

27 Nov 2024

September 2024 1 case

Robin Couzens

Arson *

Sentence

27 months imprisonment

Robin Couzens was jailed for attempting to burn down two shopping centres, including Chantry Place, after committing arsons that targeted these locations.

Released after three months and later arrested for returning to one of the shopping centres.

2 Sep 2024

August 2024 1 case

Matthew Oarton

Theft *

Sentence

46 weeks imprisonment

Matthew Oarton, 39, of no fixed address, was involved in a series of incidents in Norwich between January and July 2024. On January 3, he was found with a machete in a bag and a small amount of cannabis after being spotted outside a home in Kett’s Hill. On May 22, he stole an electric bike from outside a gym in Copenhagen Way. On June 23, he stole a bracelet worth £1,100 from a second-hand shop in St Benedict’s Street and £145 of meat from a shop in Catton Grove Road. CCTV also captured him stealing items, including laundry products and alcohol, from the same shop on two other occasions. He was arrested on August 6 and remanded to court.

Pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from a shop, theft of a pedal cycle, possession of a bladed article and possession of cannabis. Ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge.

7 Aug 2024

July 2024 1 case

Rafal Soltys

Production of cannabis *

Sentence

12 months imprisonment for production of cannabis and 4 months for abstraction of electricity, to be served concurrently

On July 7, 2024, a large cannabis farm valued at more than £100,000 was discovered at a property in north Norfolk. Rafal Soltys was arrested at the scene, taken to Aylsham Police Investigation Centre for questioning, and subsequently sentenced.

Aged 36. Charged with production of cannabis and abstraction of electricity. All drugs and related paraphernalia were forfeited and destroyed.

9 Jul 2024

October 2023 1 case

Hallum Elgood

Shoplifting *

Sentence

12 weeks imprisonment

Hallum Elgood committed a series of shop thefts, stealing items such as pet products, laundry products, and meat from shops in Earlham Green Lane, Lovelace Road, and Colman Road between July 13 and August 9. The total value of stolen items exceeded £1,500. He was caught on CCTV, arrested for breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order, and subsequently sentenced.

Pleaded guilty to six shop thefts and admitted to a further 11 thefts. Issued a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from Co-op stores.

28 Oct 2023

February 2021 1 case

Sophie Carter

Breach of Criminal Behaviour Order and Restraining Order *

Sentence

18 weeks imprisonment and £173 costs

Sophie Carter, 26, breached a three-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) and a restraining order just days after it was imposed, following incidents between November 2020 and January 2021 where she attempted to coerce vulnerable residents into giving her money. She was arrested on February 7, 2021, after breaching the order and appeared via videolink to plead guilty.

Pleaded guilty to breaching a criminal behaviour order and a restraining order. The order was imposed to prevent her from coercing vulnerable residents into giving her money.

8 Feb 2021

September 2018 1 case

Steven Ladell

Breaching gas safety and health safety laws *

Sentence

20 weeks imprisonment suspended for 2 years

The case related to a property in Lynn which was found to have an unsafe gas boiler and an 'at risk' gas cooker when it was inspected in July 2017.

Pleaded guilty to breaching an improvement notice served by the Health and Safety Executive and two gas safety regulations. Ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay more than £4,000 in costs.

17 Sep 2018

June 2018 1 case

Michael Brown

Burglary *

Sentence

60 days imprisonment

Michael Brown, 39, of no fixed abode, hid inside the Asda store in Lynn Street, Swaffham, after it closed on June 1, 2018. He stole cigarettes and toiletries, then used a fire extinguisher to break out, triggering the alarm. A police dog unit traced the stolen property to a house in Orchard Place where he was detained. All items were recovered.

Pleaded guilty to burglary. Ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge.

2 Jun 2018

Date Not Specified 13 cases

Linus Halton

Drink driving *

Sentence

disqualified from driving for 20 months

Linus Halton of Oakley, near Diss, was travelling eastbound towards Diss on the A143 on Thursday 8 December 2022 at around 7.15pm when he collided with a lorry travelling southbound on the A140. He was breathalysed at the scene, providing a reading of 66ug. The legal limit is 35ug.

Pleaded guilty. Ordered to pay a fine, court costs and a victim surcharge.

1 Jan 0001

Luke Webb

Illegal dumping *

Sentence

£200 fine

Luke Webb's white Ford Transit tipper truck was captured by covert cameras dumping waste at Clockcase Road, Clenchwarton in April 2023. He failed to respond to official requests to identify the driver. He pleaded guilty to offences linked to waste dumping and was fined £200 by Norwich Magistrates' Court, with £850 costs and an £80 victim surcharge, totalling £1,130.

Pleaded guilty to offences linked to waste dumping. Failed to respond to official requests to identify the driver. Ordered to pay costs and victim surcharge.

1 Jan 0001

James Edge

Assault *

Sentence

Fines and costs totalling £665

On August 12, James Edge attacked a doorman outside Revolución de Cuba on Queens Street in Norwich as the doorman attempted to break up a violent confrontation between groups. Edge punched the security worker to the back of his head. He was arrested and found in possession of cocaine.

Pleaded guilty to assault and possession of a small quantity of cocaine. Of previous good character. Night out escalated into violence.

1 Jan 0001

James Woodcock

Making indecent photographs of children *

Sentence

26 weeks imprisonment suspended for 24 months

James Woodcock, a 46-year-old business analyst from Wymondham, Norfolk, was found to have downloaded over 9,000 indecent images of children. Cyber-crime officers received a tip-off in 2023 and later seized six electronic devices from his home, revealing Category A, B, and C images. Woodcock claimed the offences stemmed from curiosity and a long-standing addiction to pornography rather than a sexual interest in children. He pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children. The magistrates imposed a 26-week prison sentence suspended for 24 months with 30 days of rehabilitation activity, and placed him on the sex offenders register for 10 years along with a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs of children. Defence argued addiction to pornography rather than sexual interest in minors. Required to register as a sex offender for 10 years and given a 5-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

1 Jan 0001

Jamie Newson

Drink-driving *

Sentence

20-month driving ban, fined £440, £105 costs and £176 victim surcharge

On June 17, shortly after midnight, Jamie Newson failed to stop for police, left his vehicle and fled the scene. He was detained after fleeing and arrested five minutes later on suspicion of drink-driving. He provided an evidential breath sample of 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, double the legal limit.

Pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

1 Jan 0001

Jonathan Singer

Voyeurism *

Sentence

16 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 250 hours unpaid work, 25 rehabilitation days

Jonathan Singer, 50, visited a woman's home in Aylsham, Norfolk. After the woman fell asleep, he removed her clothing to expose her breasts and used his mobile phone to take an intimate photograph without her knowledge or consent. The image was later discovered on his device. The victim described suffering severe distress, night terrors, and a loss of security. Singer admitted the offence of observing a person doing a private act.

Pleaded guilty to voyeurism. Remorse expressed. Restraining order imposed prohibiting contact with victim for two years. Magistrates determined there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

1 Jan 0001

Jordan Chenery

Arson *

Sentence

4 years in prison

Jordan Chenery set fire to three farms in 2019, resulting in approximately £750,000 worth of damage. On 26 September 2019, he set alight a barn in Bressingham, destroying the building, killing 120 pigs, and damaging hay bales and farm machinery. On 27 September 2019, he set alight a large stack of hay bales in Kenninghall. On 3 October 2019, he set alight 400 tonnes of straw in Bressingham.

Pleaded not guilty to three counts of arson. Age 23, lives in Basildon.

1 Jan 0001

Francis Addison

Possession of a dead schedule 1 wild bird *

Sentence

12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months

Francis Addison was found to have left five dead goshawks in a parking area just off the B1106 in Kings Forest, near Wordwell on 16 January. X-rays showed the birds had suffered injuries from multiple pieces of shot. He also committed a number of other wildlife and firearms offences including killing a wood pigeon, using an unapproved animal trap, possessing air rifles and animal traps, and failing to comply with firearm and shotgun certificate conditions.

Pleaded guilty to five counts of possession of a dead schedule 1 wild bird (goshawk); one count of killing a non-schedule 1 wild bird (wood pigeon); one count of use of an animal trap in circumstance for which it is not approved; two counts of possession of an article capable of being used to commit a summary offence, namely two air rifles and six animal traps; six counts of failing to comply with the conditions of a firearm certificate; and four counts of failing to comply with the condition of a shotgun certificate. Also ordered to pay £1,080 compensation, £105 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

1 Jan 0001

Colin Barnes

Storing end-of-life vehicles without a permit *

Sentence

6 months imprisonment and £5,000 costs

Colin Barnes, a 65-year-old garage owner from Podmore Lane, Scarning, Norfolk, repeatedly ignored Environment Agency warnings about storing end-of-life vehicles and parts without a permit. Officers visited the site 18 times between November 2019 and July 2022. After pleading guilty in November 2021 he received a suspended sentence and Remediation Order to clear the site by mid-January 2022. He failed to comply and further waste including gearboxes, suspension units and tyres was found on inspection.

Pleaded guilty in November 2021 to storing ELVs without a permit. Previously given suspended sentence and Remediation Order. Breached order by continuing to store waste. Also received a 5-year Criminal Behaviour Order.

1 Jan 0001

Tanya Howes

Possession of indecent images of children *

Sentence

12 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years

On 19 February 2020, Tanya Howes, a 66-year-old former prison worker, was found in possession of indecent images of children, including 39 category A images—the most serious classification—and 100 grossly offensive extreme pornographic images and videos. She admitted to three charges of possessing indecent images of children and one charge of possessing extreme pornography at an earlier hearing.

Pleaded guilty. Chair Ian Taylor noted the offences would normally attract immediate custody but due to time lag, no reoffending, and probation's belief in rehabilitation, the sentence was suspended. Also ordered to complete up to 30 days rehabilitation activity, pay £145 costs and £149 victim surcharge, and made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years. Mitigation included lack of previous convictions, early guilty plea, high cooperation, and personal circumstances.

1 Jan 0001

Toby Patman

Assault *

Sentence

Fined £461 with costs of £236

On August 12, Toby Patman attacked a doorman outside Revolución de Cuba on Queens Street in Norwich as the doorman attempted to break up a violent confrontation between groups. Patman repeatedly hit the security worker, including strikes to the ribs.

Pleaded guilty to assault. Of previous good character. Night out escalated into violence.

1 Jan 0001

Paulina Motyka

Benefits fraud *

Sentence

12-month community order with 150 hours unpaid work and 10 days rehabilitation

Paulina Motyka, 41, from Hellesdon, Norwich, claimed £28,745 in Universal Credit by hiding capital investments in property from January 2021 to March 2023, exceeding the £16,000 savings and investments limit. Her fraudulent claims lasted 86 weeks and 6 days. A Portuguese interpreter was required at court.

Admitted guilt to dishonestly failing to report changes in her finances. Ordered to repay £28,745 and may be banned from claiming benefits for up to three years.

1 Jan 0001

William Cottam

Making indecent images of children *

Sentence

8 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months

William Cottam, a 60-year-old resident of Aylsham, Norfolk, was arrested in October 2023 after nearly 50,000 indecent images and videos of children, including category A material depicting penetrative sexual acts, were found on his electronic devices. He also possessed extreme pornographic images involving a dog. At Norwich Magistrates' Court he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child, and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images. The court heard the offences occurred during a period of health issues, stress, and bereavement. His defence emphasised his lack of prior convictions, full cooperation, and rehabilitation potential. Magistrates imposed an eight-month custodial sentence suspended for 24 months, including 40 days of rehabilitation activity and a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Cottam stated he was totally ashamed of his actions and did not wish to reoffend.

Pleaded guilty to five offences: three counts of making indecent images of children, one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child, and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images involving a dog. Expressed profound remorse. Also received a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

1 Jan 0001

Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from publicly available court records and published media reports. It is provided strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive record of any individual's criminal history or legal status.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) reflect descriptions used in media reporting and may not correspond to the formal legal charge or indictment. Sentencing details are as reported and may be subject to subsequent appeal, variation, or correction by the courts.

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Norwich Magistrates Court Bishopgate, Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1UP, Norwich, NR3 1UP, United Kingdom

+441603679500

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About Norwich Magistrates' Court

Norwich Magistrates' Court, located in Norwich, is a Magistrates' Court that deals with summary offences, some either-way offences, and preliminary hearings for more serious cases. With 32 sentencing records in our database, it serves the Norwich area and surrounding communities. Magistrates' Courts handle the majority of criminal cases in England and Wales, with cases heard by a bench of magistrates or a district judge.

The court can be found at Norwich Magistrates Court Bishopgate, Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1UP, NR3 1UP.

Accessibility provisions at this court include wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible parking.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +441603679500.

All sentencing information published on this page has been sourced from publicly-available records and verified by our editorial team. If you believe any information is inaccurate or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above.