Norwich shoplifter jailed after blind couple defrauded

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told a Norwich disabled couple had been left feeling “vulnerable and violated” after thieves knocked on their door trying to sell them stolen meat before stealing the bank card.  

Jamie McNeilly, 44, admitted using it on August 18 but claimed he had bought it from another man who was behind its theft six days earlier.

McNeilly was jailed for 22 weeks after also pleading guilty to 17 offences including multiple shop thefts and assaults on store staff. 

READ MORE: Jamie McNeilly charged after Norwich thefts and assault

It included six weeks as part of a resentencing after Deputy District Judge Hayes revoked a community order having heard McNeilly had failed to comply with a previous 11 month community order for a string of similar offences. 

He was also ordered to pay compensation totalling £300 to two store workers who he assaulted and made subject of a five year order banning him from all Co-Op stores in Norfolk.

Jamie McNeilly has been banned from every Co-Op store in Norfolk (Image: Newsquest)

Josephine Jones, prosecuting, said he had bitten security staff and threatened others with a glass bottle. 

McNeilly, of Millers Lane in Norwich, also pleaded guilty to stealing items worth hundreds of pounds from branches of Co-Op and Tesco. 

READ MORE: Pair’s 12-hour crime spree included knifepoint robbery and car-jacking

The court was told he had numerous previous offences including shop thefts, stealing pedal cycles and assaults earlier this year. 

In 2018 he was jailed for his part in a 12-hour crime spree including a knifepoint robbery and car-jacking.

James Burrow, mitigating, said his latest offences had been committed when he was homeless after being released from prison and that he had struggled with long-term addiction issues. 

“He adamantly denies being the one who went to this couple’s home and stole the bank card,” he added.