TWO brothers with “terrible” criminal records have both been jailed for a spate of shoplifting offences in a Hampshire town.

Drug addicts Jason and Shaun Havard targeted Morrisons and other stores in the Totton area, stealing items worth hundreds of pounds including clothes, razors and vodka.

On one occasion Jason Harvard threatened staff with a claw hammer after being challenged.

Keely Harvey, prosecuting, told Southampton Crown Court that the thefts were carried out in July and August of this year.

The incident involving the claw hammer took place at a Tesco Express store on August 13.

Miss Harvey said the two defendants and an accomplice, who was not before the court, were confronted by a member of staff after filling a bag with meat.

Jason Harvard produced the hammer and shouted: “Go on, try to get it back.”

Shaun Harvard, 31, of Harwood Close, Totton, admitted five offences of theft.

Jason Harvard, 29, of Meacher Close, Totton, also admitted five offences of theft, plus one of possessing an offensive weapon.

Miss Harvey said he had 21 convictions for 47 offences, including burglary and shoplifting. His co-defendant had 37 convictions for 74 offences, including theft, burglary and possession of ammunition.

The court heard that both men had become addicted to class A drugs.

Richard Tutt, defending, said: “Jason is making good progress and has made an appointment with a psychiatrist.

“He is on methadone, which is helping, and is also taking anti-anxiety medication.

“They are both relatively young men who had a torrid start in life with abuse, violence and ready access to drugs.

“Shaun is getting older. He can’t keep going on like this and he knows it. Both of them realise that if they don’t change they will completely ruin their lives.”

Judge Nicholas Rowland said the two men had “terrible” records.

Shaun Harvard was jailed for a total of five months.

His brother was imprisoned for 11 months, including six months for possession of an offence weapon.

Earlier this year the court heard that police searched Shaun Harvard’s home and found him

hiding in bed with hundreds of bullets allegedly stolen in a burglary.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing ammunition and was jailed for six months.