Shoplifter, 26, jailed for 12 weeks after attempting to steal alcohol from Basingstoke store

A shoplifter has been jailed for 12 weeks after attempting to steal items from Marks & Spencer and breaching a community protection notice.

Leon Davies, 26, of no fixed abode, tried to take alcohol worth £114 from Marks & Spencer in Festival Place on Thursday 23 May. Davies was stopped by security staff at the store and the items were retrieved.

Basingstoke Magistrates Court heard that by entering the town centre on two separate occasions that day, he was in breach of a community protection notice.

The notice, which banned him from entering certain areas in Basingstoke town centre, was issued on 20 March this year.

Davies was charged with attempted theft from a shop and two counts of failing to comply with a community protection notice.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was jailed for 12 weeks at the same court on Friday 24 May.

PC Charlotte Warhurst, Basingstoke town centre’s Dedicated Neighbourhoods Officer, said: “Leon Davies is a prolific shoplifter who targeted a store in Festival Place.

“He also brazenly breached a community protection notice and his actions have impacted our local businesses, shop workers and the wider community.

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

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