A violent thief and beggar who assaulted a police officer during an arrest has been jailed for multiple offences.

Nathan Alexander Forsythe, 35, of Stanley Road, Barking, was convicted of theft from a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, assault on police and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) on July 31 at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court.

He was sentenced to four months and two weeks’ imprisonment on the same day.

Sgt Gareth Schoorl, of the Abbey Safer Neighbourhoods team, said: “Forsythe is a prolific thief and a dangerous individual.

“I really hope this prison sentence can help him rehabilitate but, if not, his CBO is valid for three years and we will enforce any breaches.”

Forsythe was known by police as an “aggressive beggar” who frequented Barking and Ilford town centres.

He was stopped by officers while riding a bicycle he had just stolen on June 8 but managed to run away from the scene.

Forsythe was arrested a few weeks later by officers about a series of thefts from mailboxes and was subsequently charged but failed to turn up at court.

When he was stopped by police in Ilford Lane on July 17 for this exact offence, he kicked a police officer and lashed out while trying to evade arrest.

The next day, he was convicted of the two offences at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court and was given a three-month suspended prison sentence.

He was also banned from entering Barking town centre, begging and having an open alcoholic container in a public place after being given a CBO.

However, 10 days later PS Schoorl discovered Forsythe had broken into a car after spotting him in Ilford Lane.

Then just two days after that, he was also seen begging in Ripple Road.

As officers attempted to arrest Forsythe for breaking his CBO, he violently resisted and and kicked an officer.

He was subsequently charged with these additional offences before being convicted last month.