A SOUTHAMPTON man has been jailed after stealing items including candles, cheese and fish oil tablets from five different stores.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how Simon Albert Ryan Barnes’ offending took place over a period of more than two months.

The 32-year-old, of Orchard Lane, in the city centre, began by stealing two candles worth £52 from the Yankee Candle store in Westquay shopping centre on March 17.

In April he then went on to steal five cases of Nurofen tablets worth a total of £30 from Poundland in Shirley High Street, 11 blocks of cheese worth £55 from Co-op in Nelson Gate, and various cosmetics of an unknown value from Boots in Winchester Road, Chandler’s Ford.

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In his most recent theft, the court heard Barnes stole fish oil tablets worth £24.99 from Holland and Barrett in Shirley High Street on May 4.

Barnes pleaded guilty to all five charges.

Sentencing him to 20 weeks imprisonment, magistrates said Barnes was a persistent offender who had been given the opportunity to comply with non-custodial options in the past.

They added the sentence would act as both a punishment and a deterrent to others who persistently offended like him.

Barnes was also ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.