A prolific shoplifter has been jailed for almost a year following a spate of more than 20 thefts in one Kent town.

Sean Gaskin relentlessly targeted several stores in Sheerness during a crime spree which also included several weeks when he was serving a suspended sentence.

Gaskin mainly stole from high street businesses, including Holland and Barrett, Boots, Savers, Superdrug and New Look.

His haul reached more than £2,500 and included toiletries, tanning creams and clothing, as well as meat and cheese products.

The 41-year-old initially pleaded guilty at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on April 29, to 10 thefts which were carried out from February this year.

Gaskin, of Jefferson Road, Sheerness, received a suspended sentence for these crimes, which he chose to ignore and over the following weeks went on to commit further offences.

He was arrested again on May 31 and remanded in custody.

On June 3 Gaskin pleaded guilty to a further 13 shoplifting offences at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.

He was jailed for a total of 330 days, which included the activation of the suspended sentence for the previous offences.

He was also ordered to pay compensation to the stores he stole from, which amounted to a sum of almost £1,700.

Inspector Steve Bassett said: “We are simply not willing to tolerate offenders like Gaskin, who relentlessly target shops with the sole intention of stealing high value items to either consume or sell. Shoplifting is never a victimless crime and we do not underestimate the damaging impact it has on businesses.

“Many local residents are also employed in our town centre stores and they should never have to go to work anxious about being targeted by thieves, or with the fear of being threatened, intimidated, or assaulted.

“There will be no let-up in our efforts to prosecute those who see shoplifting as part of a criminal lifestyle. Our officers know who the repeat offenders are in Sheerness, and we will continue to bring thieves such as Gaskin before the courts at the earliest opportunity.”