A prolific thief has been jailed for four months after assaulting an off-duty police officer and stealing from several shops in the city.

Carl Westfield, 46, of Earlham Grove in Norwich, appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from a shop, attempted theft from a shop, breach of Criminal Behaviour Order and assault.

Between July 22 and July 25, Westfield stole items from shops in Earlham Green Lane, Colman Road and Dereham Road. 

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This included the Co-op where he was banned from entering after being issued with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order on February 16.

On July 23, Westfield was witnessed by an off-duty police officer attempting to steal from the store and he pushed the officer after being challenged.

He was arrested on August 13 and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre, where he was later charged by officers.