A man has been jailed for a string of town centre thefts including one from an Italian restaurant’s cloakroom.

James Young, of Epsom Road in Watford, trespassed into the staff cloakroom in L’artista and took a purse of unknown value on August 1 this year.

It was one of 12 offences he pleaded guilty to at St Albans Magistrates’ Court – nine of which involved theft and one of receiving goods believed to be stolen.

During stealing sprees in June and July, the 40-year-old nabbed wireless headphones worth £121 and £49 from Atria Watford’s Primark.

Watford Observer: Young stole a purse in Watford's Italian restaurant L'artista. Young stole a purse in Watford's Italian restaurant L'artista.

He also took £72 worth of toothpaste and £128 of chocolates from Poundland, as well as weighing scales, a wine cooler and two sets of cutlery from Lakeland.

In two more Watford thefts he got his hands on an iPhone 12 and a £600 e-scooter.

He also dishonestly received an iPhone and Air Buds worth £774, believing them to be stolen, on August 13 and 14.

The two offences that didn’t involve stolen goods happened in Watford on December 7, 2020, when Young damaged a silver Mini Cooper and was in possession of a quantity of amphetamine.

Watford Observer: He also stole from shops inside Atria Watford shopping centre.He also stole from shops inside Atria Watford shopping centre.

During sentencing last week the offences were aggravated by his previous record of offending.

He was given prison time ranging from two weeks to 16 for the various offences and was sentenced to a total of 42 weeks.

Young was also forced to pay £354 compensation relating to the damaged Mini Cooper.