A prolific shoplifter has been jailed after he was found to be in breach of a suspended sentence.

Max Huggett committed a spate of new shop theft offences within days of a court appearance in Crawley.

He targeted the Co-op store in Langley Parade, and the Asda store in Balcombe Road in June.

The 35-year-old was arrested and charged with 14 new shoplifting offences and 17 breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 2 July he admitted the charges.

Huggett, of Ockley Road, Bognor, was jailed for nine months.

The court was told how Huggett appeared for sentence in court on 10 June where a nine-month suspended sentence was imposed.

But on 14 June he entered the Co-op store and stole items. He committed further offences throughout June this year.

The court was also told how Huggett has 19 previous convictions for 133 offences, 99 of which were theft related.

Speaking after the case Crawley District Commander, Chief Inspector Steven Turner, said: “Huggett has been identified as a prolific shop thief who pays no regard to court orders.

“He has previously been banned from entering retail stores across West Sussex, and was convicted in June for a spate of shoplifting offences.

“Through Operation Apprentice, we continue to target the most prolific offenders, and Huggett was arrested for committing these new offences within days of his previous court appearance.

“We understand the impact shoplifting has in our communities and for retail staff, which is why we work hard to tackle the worst offenders.

“We are pleased that Huggett is now serving a custodial sentence.”