A MAN has been jailed for shoplifting after two incidents at Tesco in New Milton.

Ashley Joseph Brown, of Dinham Road, New Milton, was sentenced to 10 weeks behind bars for shoplifting when he appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (November 15).

At shortly before 10pm on Thursday, September 14, Brown entered the Caird Avenue store and picked up a fleece and a pair of jogging bottoms, with a value of £67.50.

He put the items on over his clothing and left the store without paying for them.

He was sentenced to 10 weeks’ in prison and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge for the offence.

At 7.30am the following day (September 15), the 40-year-old returned to the same shop and stole four boxes of Lego, with a value of £195. For this offence, he received a 10-week concurrent sentence.

Sergeant Arron Wood, of the New Milton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said after the hearing: “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 or staff members can report shoplifting to police on 101, or by reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.