Man, 42, jailed for 24 weeks for shoplifting in Aldershot

A man has been jailed for 24 weeks after stealing items worth more than £900 from a store in Aldershot.

Michael Coles, 42, of no fixed abode, was charged with eight counts of theft from a shop.

It comes after items worth a total of £903.18 were stolen from the Co-op store on Lower Farnham Road between 2 March and 11 March. The stolen items included meat and confectionary products.

Coles pleaded guilty to all charges and was jailed for 24 weeks at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Tuesday 12 March after a suspended sentence order was activated. 

Police Sergeant Rob Tiller, from the Aldershot Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Michael Coles is a prolific shoplifter who brazenly targeted the same store in Aldershot for a number of days.

“We know the impact these kind of incidents can have on local businesses, shop workers and the wider community.

“Our message is clear – shoplifting and this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in Aldershot and the wider area.

“We take reports like this extremely seriously and will do all we can to put offenders before the courts.”