A prolific shoplifter who stole more than £1,000 worth of items from several shops and supermarkets has been jailed

Curtis Tipton targeted stores in Folkestone, stealing alcohol and luxury items to the sum of about £1,400, between January 3 and 10.

Police were alerted to the offences and arrested the 53-year-old man on January 11.

He was charged with four counts of theft and appeared before Folkestone Magistrates Court on January 17 where he was sentenced.

Tipton, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison. He was also handed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

With the CBO in place, Tipton is prohibited from re-entering the businesses he stole from. It is also forbidden for Tipton to remain in any shop if the staff require him to leave.

Investigating officer Sgt Daniel Bartlett said: “The actions of repeat offenders such as Tipton can have a devastating impact on businesses.

“I would hope that the custodial sentence and court order that have been imposed in this case will serve to reassure traders that we will take robust action whenever appropriate.

“We are determined to bring shoplifters to justice and I would urge people to keep reporting incidents to us, either online or by calling 999 if a crime is in progress.”