A SHOPLIFTER has been jailed after he attempted to steal items from Marks and Spencer in Basingstoke.

Leon Davies, 26, of no fixed abode, tried to take alcohol worth £114 from Marks and Spencer in Festival Place on Thursday, May 23.

The items were retrieved after Davies was stopped by security staff at the store.

READ MORE: Veterans and residents invited to 80th D-Day mayoral celebrations

The 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 March 20.

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 Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Friday, May 24.

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

SEE ALSO: Andover teenagers turn on the heat to secure victory over Hook and Newnham

“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.”