Spalding man jailed for stealing gun and walking around town with it
A witness told officers he pointed it at a person in a wheelchair
A man who stole an air rifle from a shop in Spalding and walked around town pointing it at people has been jailed for ten months.
40-year-old Matthew Dye, who's from Stonegate, was jailed for eight offences that happened in May 2025.
Officers say they received calls from people in Spalding who saw him walking around the town with an air rifle.
He reportedly 'fired off' empty rounds of the gun and pointed it at a person in a wheelchair.
A witness took the rifle off Dye and stored it in his car boot until police officers arrived.
The court heard how Dye had stolen the rifle from a Buy, Sell, Swap store on The Crescent, Spalding and announced that he was going to "rob a bank".
That same day he also threw a brick at a door belonging to Homeless Reduction Framework.
He was found guilty of five other theft offences.
The officer leading the case, Detective Constable 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."