A prolific shoplifter has been jailed after stealing a total of almost £400 worth of items from a Matalan store in High Wycombe across two occasions.

Anthony Dix, 40, of Springfield Boulevard, Milton Keynes, stole a number of men’s clothing items from the Bellfield Road store on both occasions.

In the first instance, on May 19, last year, he stole £142 worth of items, before returning again on July 5, when he stole around £250 worth of goods.

Appearing at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Saturday June 13, he pleaded guilty to two counts of shoplifting, and was jailed for eight weeks.

Dix was charged on Thursday June 11.

Chief Inspector Hayley McEvoy, of the Buckinghamshire neighbourhood policing team, said: “Retail workers and stores are an important part of our community, and the staff should not be forced to have to deal with this behaviour.

“Tackling repeat offenders like Dix is important. Not only do their actions impact the businesses, but it does impact consumers as well.

“There are other factors which drive the cycle of offending, and we work closely with partner agencies, including support services, to try and get offenders the help needed.

“We will continue to focus on retail crime, as we continue to work hard to build the trust of our retail sector and tackle shoplifting.”