A MAN has been jailed for more than five months after stealing food from Sainsbury’s in Aldershot.

Michael Hanton, 35, of Longacre, Ash, stole cheese, butter, cooked meats and bakery goods worth £38.60 from the store in Ash Road on Saturday, March 25.

Rushmoor Inspector Mike Hall said: “Michael Hanton is a prolific shoplifter whose behaviour has impacted our local businesses, shop workers and the wider community.

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“Our officers have worked hard to bring this case before the courts and I hope this sentencing result sends a message to offenders that shoplifting will not be tolerated in Aldershot and the wider area.”

He was charged with theft from a shop in April and later pleaded guilty after a number of court appearances.

Hanton was jailed for 24 weeks at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Tuesday, March 5 after a suspended sentence order was activated.