Shoplifter who stuffed meat down trousers jailed

Joshua Harte was jailed for eight weeks for two counts of theft from a shop

A prolific shoplifter was chased down and arrested about an hour after he was caught stuffing packs of meat down his trousers.

Joshua Harte was caught on CCTV attempting to steal the items at Sainsbury's, in Newcastle Avenue, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, at about 15.15 BST on Saturday.

A little over an hour after the offence, the 26-year-old, who has multiple previous convictions for theft, was spotted near a canal before being chased down by officers.

Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday, Harte, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a shop and was jailed for eight weeks.

Nottinghamshire Police said Harte had also stolen meat and washing detergent from a shop in Retford Road, Worksop, on the same day.

PC Laura Marriott said: "Harte is a prolific offender who has already spent time in prison this year.

"His actions are not only damaging to local businesses, but also to the members of staff who end up confronting him for his crimes."