A driver for News Direct, a company that delivers newspapers throughout the city, was doing his rounds in St Leonards Road at about 6am on April 8 when a cyclist stole his van.

Police later spotted the van in the city, but the driver failed to stop when asked to do so.

Police stopped the stolen van in Cecil Road

At least five police vehicles then forced the stolen van to stop in Cecil Road at about 10.40am.

A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop when directed, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, theft from a shop and failing to provide a breath test.

Jamie McNeilly, 46, of Marl Pit Lane, Norwich, was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, drink driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, two counts of theft and two breaches of a criminal behaviour order.

He appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court on April 10, where he was jailed for 20 weeks, banned from driving for 17 months and ordered to pay £331.60 in compensation and fines.

© Eastern Daily Press