Norfolk man who stole kayaks fails to attend his sentencing

Kallan Reilly, 33, used bolt cutters to cut loose and steal the canoes - worth a total of £27,600 - from a dinghy park at Blakeney. He also took other marine equipment, including a boat trailer.

Reilly, of Knowland Grove in Norwich, was due to appear at Norwich Crown Court for sentence on Wednesday (December 4) having previously admitted 15 counts of theft from the north Norfolk dinghy park.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) But Reilly failed to attend the hearing and prosecutor Chris Youell asked for a "warrant not backed for bail".

Recorder Ruth Brander issued a warrant for Reilly's arrest.

Kallan Reilly (Image: Norfolk Constabulary) The thefts, which happened sometime between October 6 and the morning of October 8 last year, prompted harbour officials to warn boat users at the quayside storage park to be extra vigilant.

In total 21 kayaks and marine equipment including a boat trailer, valued at £15,000, had been stolen, according to the prosecution.

They were later discovered at a site on the outskirts of Norwich.

Norwich Magistrates Court had previously heard it was a planned operation that involved Reilly going around looking for kayaks to steal. 

He told police two others were involved in the thefts but repeatedly refused to name them.

Dr Victoria Holliday (Image: Newsquest) Speaking at the time of the thefts, Dr Victoria Holliday, vice-chair of North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) and councillor for Coastal ward, said: “I was shocked to hear about this theft. 

"I am very sorry for those whose kayaks were stolen. 

“It’s not what you expect to happen on Blakeney Dinghy Park.”