A shoplifter has been sentenced after repeatedly targeting Wiltshire supermarkets.

Denroy Thomas, of no fixed abode admitted to three counts of theft.

The 55-year-old stole three bottles of alcohol worth £124.50 altogether from the Bradford on Avon Sainsbury's on November 7, 2023, then took meat worth £105.59 from the Chippenham Marks and Spencer and £95.89 of meat from the town's Sainsbury's on February 12, 2024.

At his sentencing on Tuesday, February 13, the defendant received a community order that required him to carry out up to five rehabilitation activity days and pay £85 in court costs as well as £114 to fund victim services.

Inspector Pete Foster said: "The hope with a rehabilitation order is to prevent future offending.

“We continue to work closely with retailers to share information and to identify persistent offenders.

"Our officers maintain a visible presence in the town centre and routinely work with security guards and CCTV camera operators to ensure a coordinated approach in tackling this issue.

"While our reported retail theft numbers are not high, we take all reports of shoplifting very seriously. In addition to the financial implications, such crimes also have an emotional impact on staff.

“We would urge anyone who is a victim of such crime to report at the earliest opportunity."

Separately, police arrested a man in his 40s for shoplifting offences and then released him on bail.