A 35-year-old man has been charged after escaping from police and shoplifting from two stores in the heart of a market town.

Robert Jones, of Pendleton Gardens, Blackfield, has been charged with two counts of shoplifting and escape from lawful custody.

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This followed reported shopliftings from One Stop, Beaulieu Road in Hythe on January 7 and Superdrug, High Street on January 16.

The 35-year-old faced the charges when he appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court on February 13.

Jones has been remanded in custody to next appear at Southampton Crown Court on March 13.