A suspected shoplifter has appeared in court charged with stealing Lego and air fryers alongside several other items reported from stores across the county.

Sasha Dixey was arrested last Wednesday after an off-duty police officer in Folkestone was out shopping and was alerted to an alleged theft by staff from a nearby shop.

The 45-year-old man from Sussex has been charged with stealing £1,440 worth of items from the outlet in Park Farm Road as well as £200 worth of Lego from a business in Halstead, Sevenoaks, on February 13.

He is also accused of taking four air fryers and other items worth £645 from a store in Tonbridge on January 21.

Dixey also was charged with failing to give a breathalyser test to police in Canterbury and driving without insurance in Folkestone.

He appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on March 2 and has been remanded to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on April 6.

A police spokesman said: "A suspected shoplifter is to appear in court, following good work from an off-duty police officer.

"The officer was shopping in the Park Farm Road area on Wednesday March 1, when she noticed staff from a nearby store picking up items and they informed her the items were suspected to have been recently stolen.

"Following her work with staff a man was arrested on suspicion of theft."