A prolific shoplifter has been jailed after he stole from shops three times in one month.

Andrew Copeland Brown, aged 58, of Henry Taunt Close, Barton, Oxford, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from a shop at a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday (March 12).

He was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison.

On three separate occasions, Copeland Brown stole goods from local shops in February this year in Oxford. 

The first offence took place at around 3.25pm on February 15 when he entered the Sainsbury’s in London Road, Headington, stealing £70 worth of meat.

Six days later, on February 21 at around 6.05pm, he entered the Co-op store in London Road, stealing detergents to the value of £70.

And then on February 27 at around 5.10pm, he entered the same store, stealing meat to the value of £52.50.

Brown was arrested on March 11 and charged the following day with three counts of theft.

Investigating officer PC Jonathan Kelly, of the Oxford North East Neighbourhood Team, said: “These convictions demonstrate that Thames Valley Police take retail crime seriously, particularly when we have a long-term repeat offender like Andrew Copeland Brown.

“This custodial sentence will safeguard these retail outlets from him, and I hope that he uses his time in prison productively to reflect upon his actions.”