A serial thief has been jailed for 40 weeks after a shoplifting spree that terrorised businesses in South Tyneside.
Jordan Martin, 25, had only been out of prison for five days when he began what police described as a four-week frenzy.
In that time he swiped more than £680 worth of goods from three supermarkets - Sainsbury's and Wilko's in South Shields and Asda in Boldon.
Magistrates in South Tyneside heard how Martin, of Edinburgh Road, Jarrow, repeatedly targeted the three stores between November 4 and November 30 this year.
He would enter the stores and pocket items without paying for them and acted aggressively to staff members when confronted.
PC Helen Hulme, of Northumbria Police , said: “Jordan Martin has been a drain on police resources for some time and has shown a total disregard for the law.
“He’s had a number of opportunities to clean up his act but just days after recently being released from prison for similar offences, he ignored all advice and continued his cynical spree.
“Martin clearly cannot be trusted to live in a lawful society. His selfish actions have been frequent and widespread and now he must deal with the consequences of his actions.
“Shoplifting is increasingly being dealt with by security at the shops themselves but this shows that we will still take robust action against those who persistently reoffend and show a total disregard to those who live and work in the city.
“People like Martin undermine the fabric of our communities so it is important that the public and businesses recognise that we do not tolerate this type of behaviour and will take action against those who continuously bring misery to others.”
Martin pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and received his 40-week prison term on December 4.
