Shoplifter James Dempsey from Hythe jailed for food and drink thefts from Tesco Express and Waitrose in Lymington

A PERSISTENT shoplifter was jailed for eight weeks for stealing hundreds of pounds of food and drink in a series of thefts over four days.

James Dempsey (44), of Butts Ash Gardens, Hythe, admitted six charges relating to the offences which saw him target Lymington’s Tesco Express and Waitrose stores between 30th April and 3rd May.

These ranged from stealing a sandwich to taking crates of beer and a total of £250 of meat.

Dempsey also pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards a man in Lymington on 3rd May.

Sending him down, Southampton magistrates ruled the offences were so serious only a custodial sentence could be justified.

They also said the defendant had shown “a flagrant disregard for people and their property”.