A prolific thief smashed a glass door and crawled through the gap before stealing £350 worth of alcohol.

David Bryan Emblen, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for a series of offences including burglary and shoplifting.

In March last year, the 38-year-old smashed a glass door panel at Tesco on High Street, Lymington before crawling through the gap and stealing £350 worth of alcohol.

He pleaded guilty to this offence and initially received a community order.

In February this year and left without paying for £145.80 worth of meat and fish products at Tesco Esso Express on Beaulieu Road in Dibden Purlieu.

In June he stole £70 worth of cheese from One Stop in Fairview Parade in Hythe.

On September 1 he stole meat coffee valued at £153.67 from a Tesco store on Sizer Way, Dibden and later on the 17th he stole £55.55 worth of meat products from Tesco Esso Express, in Dibden Purlieu.

Lastly in November, he stole £46 worth of Bacon from Tesco Esso Express in Dibden Purlieu.

He was jailed for four months for the burglary and one month concurrent for each of the 14 shoplifting offences.

Speaking recently, following further arrests, charges and convictions for shoplifting offences, New Forest Business Crime Lead, Inspector Linda Davies, said: “These recent results continue to emphasise our commitment to tackling shoplifting across the New Forest.

“We know the significant impact this crime has on businesses and the wider community.

“Our response will continue to create a hostile environment for those seeking to offend and we are committed to relentlessly pursuing those who continue to do so.

“Please continue to report incidents to us via 101, or online via our website – our officers will be following up and will work with businesses to streamline how information, important to our enquiries, is provided.

“You can report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."