A “persistent” shoplifter has been jailed after he was caught stealing bottles of champagne in Watford.

Sergiu Rotari, of Charter Place, Watford, was sentenced to 38 weeks for four counts of theft and breaching his suspended sentence order for previous shoplifting offences at Hatfield Magistrates' Court on March 13.

The 34-year-old was arrested in King Street at 3.33pm on Tuesday, March 12, after he stole three bottles of champagne from a shop. 

The arrest activated the suspended sentence he was handed in June 2022 over a string of thefts in Watford.

He previously admitted stealing seven jackets from Hollister and Superdry worth nearly £500 over two days in November and December 2021, as well as two hoodies and two vests from Hollister worth a total of £176.

Most of the incidents took place in the Co-op in York Way, where he shoplifted 24 cans of Red Bull, 11 coffee jars, 153 chocolates, three bottles of wine and a can of gin and tonic.