A PROLIFIC shoplifter from Calne has been sentenced to 18 weeks in jail after he continued to offend while on a suspended sentence.

On August 23 Darren Cunningham, aged 42, of no fixed address, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court and was issued with a 12-month suspended sentence for a number of theft offences in Chippenham and Calne.

But he appeared in court again yesterday (Thursday, August 30) after he was caught stealing flowers from The Pippin service station in Calne on Monday (August 27), activating his suspended prison sentence.

He is now serving 18 weeks in prison for this offence, and for stealing food and magazines from Morrisons in Chippenham.

Sergeant Mark Simpson, said: “This sentence is the result of persistent offending by Cunningham – he is a prolific shoplifter and his behaviour has continued to blight the lives of shopkeepers across Chippenham and Calne.

“The Community Policing Team look to lawfully target prolific offenders and quickly sought to secure evidence to arrest and put Cunningham back before the courts when further offences were committed over the Bank Holiday weekend.

“I hope this sends a clear message that police, and the courts, will deal robustly with persistent offenders.”