Faces of a killer: violent history of Norwich murderer

Theodore Lynch, 41, was told he will serve at least 22 years before he can be considered for parole after being sentenced at Norwich Crown Court earlier this week.

The day before, a jury took less than three hours to find him guilty of his murder of 63-year-old Leslie Smith in 2021 following a violent row at his flat in Suffolk Square over the purchase of drugs.

READ MORE: Theodore Lynch found guilty of Norwich drugs row murder

It was revealed at the sentencing hearing that Lynch is already serving a three and a half year jail term for attacking his former girlfriend who was a key prosecution witness in the murder trial.

Theodore Lynch has ben jailed for a minimum of 22 years for murder (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

He was convicted of wounding with intent after stabbing her in the shoulder with a 10 inch knife he had hidden under a pillow after becoming furious his attempts to rekindle their relationship were thwarted.

That was just one of a string of 20 previous violent convictions, many involving weapons including knives.

Judge Alice Robinson said he had an “entrenched pattern of violent behaviour” going back to 2003.

READ MORE: Norwich drugs row murderer threatened to kill witness

In 2019 he was convicted after punching and using a shard and glass to threaten a man he had chased until he smashed through a window. 

While in 2018 and 2020 he was caught in possession of a knife. 

Lynch has a violent history dating back to 2003 (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)His convictions have included possession of knives and assaults (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

In 2013, then aged 30, he was jailed for three-and-a-half years for wounding and actual bodily harm after he threw a glass object at his former partner causing a gash to her forehead that left her with permanent scarring.

Two years before that he had been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for possession of heroin and crack cocaine.

Lynch has previously been jailed for violent attacks of former partners who he stabbed (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Burgess, who investigated the murder, said he was “a very dangerous man”.

“The jury’s decision to convict him of murder will ensure he is kept behind bars for a considerable amount of time, making the streets of Norwich a safer place,” he added.