People in Great Yarmouth who’ve come to know PC David Howarth over the years have been left doing a double-take.
A man often praised for his community spirit is now preparing to stand trial over claims that he repeatedly slipped everyday goods into his bag at a local Co-op without paying.
Champagne, Cherry Bakewell tarts, wine, meat… the list has raised eyebrows not just because of the items themselves, but because of who is accused of taking them.
A Long-Serving Policeman Under Suspension
Howarth has worn the Norfolk Police uniform for more than two decades, most recently serving as the beat manager for Gorleston, Cobholm, and Southtown.
All of that came to a sudden halt when the shoplifting allegations emerged.
He was suspended back in April, and the case has been gathering momentum ever since.
Courtroom Denials, With a Complicated Twist
At a hearing at Norwich Magistrates Court, the 46-year-old officer pleaded not guilty to five theft charges relating to incidents between March 18 and 30 of this year.
His own solicitor, James Landles, made a point of acknowledging that Howarth did walk out with £62 worth of goods during that period.
But, he said, the real issue was why.
According to Landles, Howarth was struggling with significant mental health challenges at the time—serious enough, he argued, that the officer wasn’t fully aware or in control of what he was doing.
The defence plans to rely on a form of temporary insanity, something the court will examine through expert medical testimony.
What Happens Next in the Legal Process
District Judge Matthew Bone has pencilled in August 3 of next year for the trial.
The proceedings are expected to lean heavily on assessments from mental health specialists, with both the prosecution and defence presenting their own experts to explain Howarth’s state of mind during the alleged thefts.
A Career Once Marked by Quiet Acts of Kindness
For many locals, the case feels especially jarring because Howarth wasn’t just another officer on patrol—he was well known for going out of his way to help people.
In 2022, he was even runner-up for a community “uniformed hero” award.
His name appeared in the press back in 2017 when he spent hours helping a pensioner with terminal cancer after part of her garden wall was knocked down.
He removed loose bricks, arranged donated flowers from a DIY shop, and helped coordinate volunteers—including students and local businesses—to rebuild her wall at no cost.
Students even styled the woman’s hair before she headed off to her niece’s wedding in Guernsey.
A Familiar Face in Local Schools
Howarth also regularly visited schools to speak with pupils about safety and modern challenges like county lines exploitation.
Two years ago, he was photographed with Year 6 students at St Mary and St Peter Catholic Primary School in Gorleston, letting them try on police gear and showing them the inside of a police van—a moment many of the children likely won’t forget.
Police Confirm His Suspension
A spokesperson for Norfolk Police has confirmed that he has remained suspended since April, shortly after the alleged shoplifting incidents first came to their attention.
The force has made no further comment while the legal process plays out.
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