Man, 40, jailed for shoplifting in New Milton

A 40-year-old man from New Milton has been jailed for ten weeks for shoplifting.

Ashley Joseph Brown, of Dinham Road, was sentenced yesterday (Wednesday 15 November) at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

It follows two incidents at Tesco, Caird Avenue, New Milton in September.

Shortly before 10pm on Thursday 14 September, Brown entered the store and picked up a fleece and a pair of jogging bottoms, at a value of £67.50.

He then put the items on over his clothing and left the store without making payment for them.

For this offence, he has been sentenced to ten weeks’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.

At 7.30am the following day (Friday 15 September), Brown returned to the same shop and stole four boxes of Lego, at a value of £195. For this offence, he received a ten-week concurrent sentence.

Reflecting on the court result, Sergeant Arron Wood, of the New Milton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Retail crime in Hampshire is one of the force’s current priorities and we will continue to support that by robustly dealing with shoplifters.

“We will always deal with these matters seriously and will make all efforts to identify offenders and bring them before the courts.”

If you are a shop owner or staff member, please continue to report any shopliftings to us.

With your information, we can take action, including arresting and charging suspects and convicting offenders at court.

You can do this by calling 101, or by reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.

You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.