MAN CHARGED WITH 47 SANDWELL SHOP THEFTS AND ASSAULT

Matthew Marsh, aged 33 and of no fixed address, has been charged with 47 counts of shop theft and one count of assaulting an emergency worker. West Midlands Police said the charges relate to shop raids across Sandwell towns between February and August. Marsh appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court on 4 August. Police said one of their officers was allegedly struck in the face after responding to an incident in June.

The force stated that items stolen from shops in Oldbury and Rowley Regis during the seven-month period exceeded £2,700 in value. Police described the offences as part of a spree across neighbouring Black Country towns. Marsh was remanded in custody ahead of his court appearance.

The charges mark a significant retail crime prosecution in the region. West Midlands Police urged members of the public to report incidents of retail crime by calling 101, or 999 in emergencies. The force did not state when Marsh would next appear in court or the outcome of his initial hearing.