Man jailed for multiple offences

A man has been jailed for 16 months for breaching court orders, robbery, and assault.

Paul Knights, 38, of Bishop Bridge House, Norwich, appeared at Norwich Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 30 May 2024, having admitted six charges.

They related to two breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order imposed on 26 October 2021 aimed at preventing his use of butane gas in public, two breaches of a restraining order banning him from B&M in Norwich Riverside imposed on 3 July 2023, one count of robbery, and one of assault.

The robbery charge related to an incident on 17 October 2023 when he pushed and punched a shop worker to get behind the counter and take a gas canister worth £3.90.

He also admitted to assaulting a support worker on 10 October 2023 when he was said to be annoyed at having to collect his medication daily.

A witness said he was “unpredictable and agitated.”

While on remand he engaged with Operation Converter and said he wanted to “clear his slate.”

He asked for 11 other offences to be taken into consideration.

Some of them dated back to 2021 and included a number of theft from shops, comprising mainly lighter fuel and alcohol, as well as some instances of criminal damage.

Duncan Etchells, staff supervisor for Op Converter, said: “Paul Knights was probably acting out of desperation when he committed these offences.

“He was self-medicating with butane gas for pain relief but this does not excuse his behaviour.

“Norfolk Police will always try to protect shop staff just doing their job and, when offences such as this are committed, deal with the offenders robustly.

“I hope that now he is in prison he receives the help he says he needs.

“This spell in prison will also protect the local community from his offending. 

"He’s been given this chance to clear his slate, only he can now keep it clean.”