A prolific theft offender has been jailed following a series of thefts and knife possession.

Matthew Oarton, 39, of no fixed address appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 7 August 2025, where he pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from a shop, theft of pedal cycle, possession of a bladed article and possession of a class B drug, namely cannabis.

This follows a series of incidents which occurred between 3 January and 23 July 2025.

The first incident took place on 3 January 2025, when Oarton was spotted by an officer outside an address on Kett’s Hill, wearing a bag on his back. He managed to get out of sight for a few seconds, and when the officer saw him again, he was no longer wearing the bag. Oarton was detained, and following a search, a small amount of cannabis was seized. The bag was found nearby in the rear garden of the property, and inside it was a machete.

On 22 May 2025, Oarton was loitering outside a gym on Copenhagen Way when he stole an electric bike that was locked outside. CCTV footage shows Oarton pulling a small yellow saw from his waistband and cutting the bike’s lock before riding away on it.

On another occasion (23 June), Oarton visited a second-hand shop on St Benedict’s Street and stole a bracelet worth £1,100.

On the same day he also visited a shop on Catton Grove Road and stole £145 of meat.

CCTV from the same shop also captured Oarton stealing items, including laundry products and alcohol, on two other separate occasions.

Oarton was arrested on Wednesday 6 August and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre and was later charged and remanded to court.

He appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 7 August and was handed a 46-week prison sentence and was ordered to pay £187 victim surcharge.