North Walsham man sentenced for church thefts

A North Walsham man charged with three offences relating to thefts from churches has been handed a 16 week suspended sentence.

Darren Reynolds, aged 40 of Skeyton Road, North Walsham appeared before Norwich Magistrates Court on Thursday 12 June where he pleaded guilty to charges of theft, burglary with intent to steal and attempted theft.

Reynolds committed the offences between 23 April 2014 and 1 May 2014 at churches in Ingworth, Mundesley and Swanton Abbott.

He entered the churches looking for items to steal – in Swanton Abbot and Ingworth entry was forced into the collection boxes and a small amount of cash inside is believed to have been stolen and at the Mundesley church damage was caused to the vestry door in an attempted to gain entry.

Inspector Kersty Brookes, commented: “We are pleased to see the sentence as these type of thefts impact on our community as many churches are left open to offer access to people who wish to visit.”

Reynolds was sentenced to 16 week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, 150 hours community work, and ordered to pay £66 compensation and £80 victim surcharge.