A Norwich serial burglary and prolific shoplifter has been told he faces jail unless he complies with a court order to address his addiction.  

David Smith, 43, of Yarmouth Road, was handed an 18-month community order at Norwich Magistrates’ Court for a three-month one-man crime wave that saw him steal thousands of pounds worth of goods.  

He had previously admitted to three counts of thefts from shops, two counts of breaking into commercial premises and criminal damage.

Eastern Daily Press: CCTV still showing prolific Norwich shoplifter and burglar David SmithCCTV still showing prolific Norwich shoplifter and burglar David Smith (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

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Smith was arrested on August 29 by an off duty police officer having stolen laundry liquid from the Co-Op in Horsford.

CCTV revealed he was also responsible for two other thefts on August 9 and 10 when he left the store without paying for laundry products, meat, and champagne.

Analysis of a bloodied tissue also placed him at the scene of a burglary at the One Stop Shop on Constitution Hill where he used a brick to smash the door before stealing alcohol, vapes and a charity collection box.

Eastern Daily Press:

He admitted a further 17 offences to be taken into consideration, including nine shop thefts and burglaries at commercial premises between July 24 and October 30.

Stores he targeted included the Co-Ops on Friar Tuck Road and Middletons Lane and Asda in Hellesdon, while he also admitted breaking into the Co-Op at Catton Grove and Aylsham Road using paving slabs to smash windows. 

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The criminal damage offences related to an incident on September 4 when he climbed onto the roof of a row of terraced homes pulling off tiles and throwing them to the ground, damaging a car parked below.

Eastern Daily Press: David Smith was identified from CCTV footage and a bloodied tissue left at the scene of one of his crimesDavid Smith was identified from CCTV footage and a bloodied tissue left at the scene of one of his crimes (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Smith was handed an 18-month community order including 20 rehabilitation days, 100 hours unpaid work, a mental health treatment order, and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

He was told if he fails to comply within the orders he could be jailed.

Duncan Etchells, of Norfolk police’s Operation Converter, which encourages offenders to reveal additional offences, said: “We welcome the package of punishments which will give Smith the chance to prove himself once more to be a contributing member of the community he has recently offended against."