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Magician 'ecstatic' as stolen straitjacket returned

The World's Smallest Magic and Joke Shop Malcolm Norton who has a white beard, glasses on and a broad toothy smile. He is wearing the white and brown straitjacket that has been returned to his shop. Malcolm is stood in front of his shop's entrance.The World's Smallest Magic and Joke Shop
Malcolm Norton said he did not think he would get the straitjacket back

A magician said he was "ecstatic" after a straitjacket stolen from outside his shop was returned.

Malcolm Norton, who runs The World's Smallest Magic and Joke Shop on Southside Street in Plymouth, said the item - which used to be part of his act - had been taken on 24 August.

But on Thursday, Mr Norton said the straitjacket had been returned.

Despite initially reporting the incident to police, the 62-year-old said he had decided not to take the matter further and was just happy to have the straitjacket back.

The World's Smallest Magic and Joke Shop Malcolm Norton who has a white beard, glasses on and a broad teethy smile wearing the white and brown straitjacket outside the front of his shop.The World's Smallest Magic and Joke Shop
Mr Norton said he decided not to press charges as he was just happy to have the straitjacket back

The item, which had been outside the shop for about 10 years, was stolen while Mr Norton was serving customers.

He said the jacket was returned by a friend of a friend who knew where it had ended up.

"I'm ecstatic and strangely enough the other business owners round here are over the moon too," said Mr Norton.

"Its become almost iconic that you can walk down Southside Street and see a straitjacket."

The World's Smallest Magic and Joke Shop Older photograph of Malcolm Norton stood outside his shop with the straitjacket on a mannequin. Mr Norton is clean shaven and smiling at the camera with his right arm resting on the mannequin. He is wearing a dark blue jacket and dark coloured trousers.The World's Smallest Magic and Joke Shop
The straitjacket has been outside Mr Norton's shop for about 10 years

Mr Norton said he had not been holding much hope of seeing the jacket again.

He added: "I decided not to press charges as I was just happy to have it back and I didn't think it was worth putting it through the legal processes."

The jacket has been put back outside the shop but has been secured with a leash.

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