A prolific shoplifter who stole products ranging from laundry products to food and attacked a member of staff has been jailed.

Nathan Aldous targeted shops in Rochester, Holborough and Strood between September 9 and October 2.

His haul from Wilko, Tesco and Co-op included laundry products, food and alcohol valued at more than £800.

Investigators from the Medway Victim Based Crime Team identified Aldous as the person responsible for the thefts and he was tracked down and arrested on Wednesday, October 4.

Aldous, of no fixed address, was charged with 11 counts of theft and one attempted theft.

He was also charged with assaulting a shop employee and breaching his criminal behaviour order on six occasions.

The 36-year-old appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Friday, October 6 where he pleaded guilty and was immediately jailed for 42 weeks.

“This type of criminality ultimately causes price rises for honest customers and it is right that he is now serving a prison sentence….”

Investigating officer, PC Emily Groves, said: “Aldous was already subject to a criminal behaviour order when he committed these offences, which shows his complete contempt for the law.

“Neither did he care about the impact his actions would have on the ability of businesses to operate profitably.

“This type of criminality ultimately causes price rises for honest customers and it is right that he is now serving a prison sentence.”