A prolific thief who hid inside a shopping centre while it was being shut before stealing from a cash register has been jailed.

Zoly Siketi went to The Mall in Romney Place, Maidstone and waited until after closing time.

The 34-year-old then took a cash register from one of the shops before throwing it down an internal stairwell on February 28.

He stole some cash and then fled the scene but police later recovered his prints following forensic analysis of the broken till.

On Thursday the man from Essex Road, Maidstone, then targeted another shop in Fremlin Walk stealing headphones by dropping them into his bag.

Officers were alerted to his actions by security who then arrested him as he walked up Lower Stone Street.

The headphones were recovered and Siketi was later charged with counts of burglary and theft.

He pleaded guilty at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Friday (June 2) and was immeditaly sentenced to 174 days' imprisonment and required to pay £489 in compensation.

Police sergeant, Elisha Robinson, said: “Our investigators work closely with town centre officers, security teams and the council community protection team to safeguard shoppers and local businesses.

“Where we suspect a criminal has committed an offence, they will be tracked down and brought to justice.

“In this case, a prolific thief entered an early plea due to overwhelming evidence proving his guilt, and he is now safely behind bars.”