A man who walked into a Spalding store to steal an air rifle he used to terrorise people in the town centre has been jailed following a string of convictions.
A member of the public wrestled the rifle off Matthew Dye following an incident on May 31 in which he attempted to fire the gun and pointed it at a disabled person.
The 40 year old who lives on Stonegate went behind the counter of Buy, Sell, Swap on The Crescent to take the air rifle, Northampton Crown Court was told last week.
On leaving the store he told staff was going to rob a bank.
Lincolnshire Police say they received ‘numerous calls from concerned members of the public who had spotted Dye walking around the town with the air rifle’.
“A courageous witness called in to advise that he had taken the air rifle from Dye, that it was indeed empty, and that he had stowed the rifle safely in the boot of his car until officers arrived,” a spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said. “The same witness described how Dye ‘fired off’ the weapon, albeit empty rounds, and that he also pointed it at a person in a wheelchair.
“Another witness also confirmed that Dye had pointed the weapon at them also.
“Dye was swiftly detained by officers and during his detention it came to light that he was also wanted for a number of other theft-related offences.”
DC Matt Wharton said: “This was an alarming and deeply concerning series of offences which understandably caused fear and distress within our community.
“I want to acknowledge the courage of those direct and indirect victims of Dye’s behaviour.
“There were several people who were subjected to these disturbing events and assisted our investigation – your support was invaluable.
“The critical evidence that key witness statements provide is often vital to the success of a case.
“While we, in collaboration with our partners, remain committed to offering help and rehabilitation opportunities to those who commit offences within our community; our priority is the safety and wellbeing of the people of the town of Spalding and across Lincolnshire.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our residents, to ensure that those who threaten that safety are brought to justice.”
In total Dye was jailed for 10 months.
The full charge sheet was:
- Theft of an air rifle from the proprietor of Buy, Sell, Swap on The Crescent, Spalding;
- Possession of an air weapon a public place – namely in Hall Place, Spalding.
He pleaded guilty to a further two offences which took place the same day:
- Attempt of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, where he threw a brick at a door of unknown value belonging to Homeless Reduction Framework;
- Theft from Londis on Holbeach Road, Spalding where he stole beer and vapes to the value of £47.
He also admitted an additional four offences which occurred in the Spalding area in May 2025:
- Theft from the Coop in Donington on 4 May – where he stole champagne to the value of £37.90;
- Theft of a petrol circular saw belonging to CF Construction on 23 May, to the value of £800;
- Theft of a bicycle on Bridge Street on 28 May, to the value of £450;
- Theft of alcohol from Sainsburys on 30 May, to the value of £100.
