Jailed: Shoplifter Ashley Brown left Tesco superstore in New Milton wearing stolen clothes

STEALING over £260 of goods from a local supermarket saw a New Milton man jailed for 10 weeks.

Ashley Brown (40), of Dinham Road, was convicted of two counts of shoplifting at Southampton Magistrates’ Court after incidents at the Tesco superstore in September.

The Bench heard the first incident saw Brown enter the shop, off Caird Avenue, shortly before 10pm on the 14th and snatch a fleece and a pair of jogging bottoms.

He put the items, valued at £67.50, on over his clothing before leaving without paying.

The following day, at 7.30am, the defendant returned and stole four boxes of Lego, valued at £195.

As well as being put behind bars for 10 weeks, Brown was ordered to pay a £154 surcharge to help fund victim support services.

Welcoming the sentencing, local Sgt Arron Wood said: “Retail crime in Hampshire is one of the force’s current priorities and we will continue to support that by robustly dealing with shoplifters.

“We will always deal with these matters seriously and will make all efforts to identify offenders and bring them before the courts.”

Shop owners and staff members were urged to continue reporting any such incidents to help police take action, including arresting and charging suspects and convicting offenders at court.

Contact officers online at hampshire.police.uk or by calling 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously at crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.