A pair of prolific shoplifters who repeatedly targeted shops to steal hundreds of pounds worth of goods have been jailed.  

The couple dubbed the Poundland Bonnie and Clyde hit the same shops again and again - sometimes more than once on the same days - during a prolonged crime spree. 

Vincent Peach, 29, and Chelsea Townsend, 24, were eventually arrested on January 13 after a public appeal following multiple thefts from shops - with branches of the Co-Op being their favourite target. 

Eastern Daily Press: The pair's favourite target was branches of the Co-Op - some of which they hit more than once dailyThe pair's favourite target was branches of the Co-Op - some of which they hit more than once daily (Image: Co-Op)

At Norwich Magistrates’ Court, Peach, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of theft from a shop - eight from the Co-Op, as well as Tesco and Morrisons, between December 28 and January 10.

He also admitted assault and being in possession of a nine-inch knife when he was arrested. 

READ MORE: Prolific Norwich shoplifter jailed for dozens of offences

Josephine Jones, prosecuting, told the court he had a “very lengthy history” of previous shop thefts and had been convicted of having a knife on three previous occasions in 2015, 2018 and 2023. 

Eastern Daily Press: Peach admitted assault and possessing a 9in knifePeach admitted assault and possessing a 9in knife (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

On December 29 a dispute in Norwich had seen him slap another man so hard that he suffered concussion and had to have a brain scan at hospital, she added. 

Townsend, of Dolphin Grove, Norwich, pleaded guilty to six counts of theft from a shop.

The court heard the pair had struck the same store twice on New Year’s Day, January 4 and January 5.

Among the hundreds of pounds in goods they stole were meat products, coffee and chocolate confectionery.  

READ MORE: Stealing from shops isn’t the victimless crime

Maya Lal, mitigating, said their offending was linked to long-standing drug use.

Eastern Daily Press: Townsend was jailed for three months for six shop thefts and breach of licence for previous convictionsTownsend was jailed for three months for six shop thefts and breach of licence for previous convictions (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

She said it has been a “slippery slope” for Peach who had been street homeless and living in a tent by the river.

“He used the knife to prepare food, it wasn’t used or brandished,” she added.   

Jailing Peach for nine and a half months, District Judge Matthew Wallace told him: “Your record of shop thefts is as prolific as I’ve seen for quite some time.”

Sentencing Townsend to three months, he told her: “The prolific nature of your offending means only immediate custody is appropriate.”