Norwich murder trial witness jailed for robbery days later

Alaina Pitcher, 39, was a prosecution witness in the trial of her former boyfriend Theodore Lynch over the killing 63-year-old Leslie Smith at Norwich’s Suffolk Square in 2021. 

Lynch, 41, was jailed for 22 years after being found guilty of fatally stabbing Mr Smith following a row over drugs.

Pitcher had told the jury she had been with Lynch in the flat at the time of the killing. Lynch later threatened to kill her.

READ MORE: Norwich drugs row murderer threatened to kill witness

However, within days of giving evidence in the witness box she was before Norwich Crown Court to be sentenced for multiple offences including stealing the phone of a woman who was calling 999 to get her help.

Alaina Pitcher gave evidence in the murder trial of Theodore Lynch who was jailed for a minimum of 22 years (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

John Morgans, prosecuting, said Pitcher had been on an e-scooter on September 13 when her erratic riding saw her crash in Mile Cross. 

Fearing she was seriously injured a passer-by went to her aid but Pitcher snatched her phone, ran off and later tried to sell it, Mr Morgans said. 

Pitcher, of Barrett Road, had previously pleaded guilty to robbery and burglary following a break-in at a house in Dereham Road on the same day in which she stole items including a bike, an Apple laptop, purses and bank cards. 

READ MORE: Norwich murder trial jury told drugs row was going to 'end badly'

Appearing via video link from HMP Peterborough, she admitted a further 14 other offences to be taken in consideration including burglaries, shop thefts and criminal damage.   

The court was told she had previously been jailed for robbery in 2017.

Rob Pollington, mitigating, said she was a “troubled individual” who had suffered violence in her past including an incident when she was stabbed by Lynch.

“She has been both the victim of serious violence and a witness to it,” he added.

Jailing her for three years and three months, Recorder Richard Conley said she had indulged in a “drug and alcohol fuelled spree”. 

She told her: “Your victim acted in a completely selfless way as a good samaritan. You repaid her by robbing her.”