Prolific thief jailed for stealing from banned shops

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 17:32 · Archive

Robert Smith, 48, was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison after stealing over £700 from Norwich shops he was banned from entering.

Robert Smith, 48, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison at Norwich Magistrates' Court on 14 October 2026 after pleading guilty to 12 counts of shop theft and 12 counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). He had stolen more than £700 worth of goods from shops across Norwich.

Smith stole fish, confectionery, cleaning and laundry products from shops on Dereham Road, Woodgrove Parade and Heyford Road between 31 August and 9 October 2026. The offences were captured on CCTV, and he was identified by store staff and police officers. A CBO issued in December 2025 had banned him from entering shops including Co-op and Tesco stores, and his thefts breached this order.

Smith was arrested on Dereham Road on 13 October 2026 and later charged. At court, he was ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge in addition to his prison sentence.

How it is being reported

• Prolific thief who stole from shops he was banned from has been jailedRobert Smith, 48, of no fixed address, appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on October 14, 2026 after pleading guilty to 12 counts of shop theft.Norwich Evening News · 21 Oct, 16:55
• Prolific thief who stole from shops he was banned from has been jailedRobert Smith, 48, of no fixed address, appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on October 14, 2026 after pleading guilty to 12 counts of shop theft.Eastern Daily Press · 21 Oct, 16:55

In this story: Robert Smith · Norwich Magistrates' Court · Norwich · Co-op · Tesco

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem