Two jailed for multiple offences - Norwich

Two men have been jailed for a combined total of seven years for a string of offences including robbery and possession of a knife.

Joshua Cram, aged 21, of Ten Bell Court, Norwich, and Jake Staff, aged 32 of Cannell Green, Norwich, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Friday 28 February 2025 where they were handed three years and four years respectively.

They both admitted to the robbery at an earlier hearing.

Staff admitted an additional charge of possessing a knife on 14 March 2024, theft from shop, assault, and three counts of assaulting an emergency worker on 15 August 2024.

Cram was also sentenced for a charge of possessing a bladed article on 30 December 2023 in Prince of Wales Road.

The robbery incident happened on 23 September 2024 between 00.35 and 00.45 in Magdalen Street.

Staff initially went into a fast-food outlet asking for free food with Cram waiting outside on a pedal bike.

They were said to have ‘caused a scene’ and were asked to leave.

The victim, who was in the shop ordering food at the time,  was approached by the pair in the street.

When he refused to give them the food he was made to empty his pockets. He noted a knife fall to the floor as he did as he was asked, and also that the male on the bike was carrying a pole/baton.

After they took his phone, vape, and food he approached a member of the public and used their phone to call police.

The suspects were quickly identified and arrested a few hours later in Cannell Green.

While in custody they engaged with Operation Converter, the unit that investigates further, similar crimes that suspects are believed to have committed.

Cram asked for four other incidents to be taken into consideration by the court at sentencing.

They were a robbery in Colegate on 4 September 2024 which Staff also admitted to, an assault on 28 August 2024, theft and common assault on 23 July 2023, and shoplifting on 24 July 2024.

As well as the Colegate robbery Staff admitted to shoplifting on 18 September 2024, a robbery at a property in Music House Lane on 10 September 2024, shoplifting on 25 August 2024 and another shoplifting incident in Cromer dating back to 21 April 2018.

Cram’s sentence will be served in a Young Offenders Institution.

Duncan Etchells, staff supervisor for Op Converter said: "Stealing from people as they go about their ordinary business is not something we will tolerate in our city. Fortunately they were both quickly identified, arrested, and further investigated after the robbery securing these sentences.

"I hope both of these men will take the time they now have on their hands to think about their actions."