A Trowbridge shoplifter has been jailed and banned from multiple Wiltshire stores after assaulting a staff member.

Simon Parker, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, September 10, for two counts of theft, assault, and possession of Class A drugs.

The 40-year-old was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison.

He was also slapped with a Criminal Behaviour Order that bars him from entering a number of shops around the town.

This follows incidents on Monday, September 2 and Tuesday, September 10 in which he stole items and pushed a sales assistant.

Sgt Charly Chilton said: “We know that crimes such as shoplifting are a big problem for our retail and business communities.

“It causes significant financial impact and often can be linked to organised criminality and wider anti-social behaviour issues.

“We believe that shoplifting is an area which is significantly under-reported by retailers and by members of the public and I want to reassure our communities that we will take reports seriously and take action.”

Anyone who is a victim of shoplifting has been advised to contact police by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.