A PROLIFIC shoplifter who targeted stores across Poole and Bournemouth has been jailed for a year.

Steven Ian Catling, aged 27 and of no fixed abode, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, March 27, and admitted 11 shoplifting offences, as well as the theft of two charity boxes, two offences of criminal damage and a public order offence.

His shoplifting offences mainly involved bottles of alcohol from Waitrose stores in Winton and Parkstone, M&S in Westbourne, which he targeted five times, and Sainsbury's in Poole town centre.

The thefts happened between Saturday, January 6, 2018, and Wednesday, March 14.

On Monday, February 26, Catling stole two charity boxes from the counter of Westbourne Medical Centre in Milburn Road. He spoke to a member of staff before making off with the boxes.

On Wednesday, March 14, he went to the Travelrest Hotel on West Hill Road in Bournemouth and asked to book a room. When he was told by the receptionist that they did not accept cash, he became verbally abusive and threatening towards her and picked up a glass frame from the counter.

He threw it in her direction, causing it to smash, but it did not hit her.

He also admitted the theft of a bracelet from a jewellers in Bournemouth earlier that same day and causing damage to the property.

Police Constable Holly Palmer, of Bournemouth Police, said: “Steven Catling is a prolific thief whose repeated offending has caused considerable inconvenience to businesses across Poole and Bournemouth, particularly in the Westbourne area.

“Through CCTV enquiries and other investigative work we were able to identify Catling as the man responsible for all of these offences and bring him to justice."

She added: “We are continuing to work with the business community and our partners to address incidents of commercial crime and to help them avoid becoming victims of offenders such as Catling.

“This work includes targeting known offenders, sharing information and advising businesses on what steps they can take to avoid becoming a victim of crime."