A shoplifter who spat at a man and stole cider and beer from a Co-op store has been jailed.

James Robert Hillier of Landguard Road was arrested following a string of shoplifting offences.

His arrest followed an incident at a fish and chip shop in Southampton.

It was reported that a man entered the Tasty Plaice on Portsmouth Road on August 19 and made threatening comments to those inside.

He then became confrontational towards a security guard at the nearby John’s Road Co-op store and was seen in possession of a knife shortly afterwards in the Colonnade car park.

While in the car park, he spat at a man in his 50s and punched a man in his 40s several times in the face.

He was arrested by officers at a nearby address on suspicion of two counts of assault and possession of a bladed article.

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He was also later arrested on suspicion of four counts of theft in connection with shoplifting incidents at two Co-op stores.

On July 7, August 6 and August 13, various items including several packs of cider and beer were taken from the Co-op store on Millbrook Road West.

A member of staff was also assaulted on one of the occasions, sustaining minor injuries.

On August 12 cider and various other food and drink items were taken from the Co-op on Shirley Road.

Hillier was subsequently charged with these offences, as well as being charged with failing to comply with notification requirements contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, for failing to register a new address, and breaching an existing suspended sentence order.

Hillier, 32, appeared before Southampton Crown Court on September 20 where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

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Police Constable Cameron Dobby, who led the investigation, said: “Hillier thought it was ok to walk around Southampton intimidating and threatening people, as well as taking whatever he wanted from local stores, assaulting staff in the process.

“This type of behaviour is simply not acceptable and won’t be tolerated by police.

“This type of criminality causes misery to local businesses and the community, and I hope that this sentence demonstrates that we will take shoplifting and its associated criminality seriously.

“We are committed to reducing this type of offending and associated anti-social behaviour, while providing a visible presence to reassure and support residents and businesses.

“As always, we encourage anyone with concerns to approach patrolling officers or to report any incidents online or by calling 101.”