Thetford woman, 88, remanded in prison accused of racism

Mavis Godfrey was denied bail at a hearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court.

The diminutive, grey-haired defendant could barely be seen above the dock and struggled to hear proceedings. Prosecutors argued she should be sent to prison until a further hearing on November 20. 

Marvis Godfrey is accused of harassing her neighbours at Monksgate in Thetford (Image: Google)

The octogenarian, of Monksgate in Thetford, pleaded not guilty to harassment of her neighbours. She is accused of visiting their property against their wishes on up to 100 occasions between April 15 and June 21. 

She also denied sending a number of grossly offensive or indecent messages between April and July, and racial abuse of two of her carers.  

The court heard the alleged racism had been overheard by a witness and captured on Ring doorbell footage. It included her telling them to go back to their own countries and telling them that they had TB (tuberculosis). 

Magistrates were told she is said to have previously breached bail on more than 500 occasions and had made more than 300 malicious 999 calls. 

READ MORE: People who have appeared before Norfolk courts this week

The chairman of the bench stood beside the dock so she could hear as he explained she was being remanded in custody over concerns she might commit further offences.

Marvis Godfrey will be brought to court by prison van for her next court date (Image: Newsquest)

The pensioner continued to plead her innocence as she was led towards the cells, towered over by two sturdy custody officers, before being transported to HMP Peterborough. 

An ageing prison population 

In the last two decade the number of people in prison aged 50 or over has nearly trebled, rising from around 5,000 in 2003 to almost 15,000 in 2023. Older individuals currently account for around one in six people  in prison.

In September a report by the Prison Reform Trust warned that the ageing jail population was posing “significant challenges”.

The charity, which until July was led by Lord Timpson, now prisons minister, said jails were becoming increasingly unsuitable for elderly criminals at a time when the prison population was overcrowded and ageing considerably.