A serial shoplifter has been jailed after targeting the same shop twice in 48 hours.

Andrew Brady, 42, stole chocolate from a Spar shop in Gosport and returned to commit a similar theft two days later.

He also targeted a shop in neighbouring Lee-on-Solent and was jailed for 18 weeks at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court.

Posting on social media Gosport Police said officers were "relentlessly pursuing" habitual shoplifters.

They added: "Shoplifting, particularly perpetrated by those who are violent or abusive, leaves retail workers feeling unsafe in their own workplace, in addition to the financial impact on businesses and in turn the impact this has on prices for consumers.

"This behaviour is not OK, which is why we’re committed to supporting businesses across the borough and disrupting those involved in this type of offending."

Brody, of no fixed address, admitted stealing £26.48 of food and alcohol from Rusdene Services on Broom Way, Lee-on-Solent, on February 18, £26.87 of chocolate from Spar in Rowner Road, Gosport, on February, 26, and £72.80 of chocolate from the same shop on February 28.

Gosport Police said: "He was also ordered to pay back the full value of all the stolen goods in compensation.

"Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Gosport are continuing to focus on retail crime across the borough so that we can address the concerns of the local community and retailers that serve them.

"Police also work closely with support services, such as drug and alcohol services like Inclusion, and other partners to make efforts to break the cycle of offending for those who continually commit crime in this manner."