A man has been told to complete 40 hours of unpaid work after admitting to steal £53 worth of items from a supermarket in New Milton.

Kevin Michael Hoole, of Dinham Road, was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates' Court and was also handed a community order.

The sentencing follows an incident at Aldi on Starling Road on December 13 where Hoole stole various items from the supermarket.

At the court hearing, he was also ordered to pay £85 in costs.

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PC Tom Jelly, of New Milton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Once again, I am pleased for the store in question, as well as the wider business community here, that Hoole has been held accountable for his actions.

"Retail crime is one of our local priorities, in addition to all the other work that the team deal with on a daily basis.

“This case once again demonstrates our commitment to seriously tackling shoplifting across the New Forest.

“I hope this case again sends out a very clear message to others thinking of committing criminality in New Milton. We won’t tolerate it and we will work tirelessly to bring you before the courts.”

Hampshire police continue to encourage shop owners and staff members to report any shopliftings either by calling 101 or by logging it on their website.