A 47-year-old man who stole cosmetics and perfumes worth £25,000 from Boots stores in three towns has been jailed for two years.

Ionel Elvis Dulea, of Stephenson Street, Gateshead, stole the items between March and August this year from shops in Andover, Aldershot and Fareham in Hampshire.

He pleaded guilty to eight charges of theft and one count of attempted theft at Winchester Crown Court where he was sentenced.

This sentencing should send a clear message to others who are thinking about stealing from the businesses in our area

Dulea had stolen skincare products worth £3,915 from the Aldershot store, £7,626 worth of products from the shop in Andover and products worth £13,473 from the store in Fareham.

Acting Sergeant Devon Smith, from the Test Valley Priority Crime Team, said: “Dulea’s brazen shoplifting affected a number of stores, shop workers and members of the community across a large part of Hampshire.

“Our message is clear – shoplifting in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will not be tolerated.

“This sentencing should send a clear message to others who are thinking about stealing from the businesses in our area.

“It will not be tolerated and we will work hard to bring you before the courts, where you will face the consequences.”