A “prolific shoplifter” will spend 17 months in jail after being ordered to pay thousands in compensation for his spree.

Danny Harris admitted to carrying out 14 thefts and one business burglary in the Three Rivers area between February 2023 and February 2024, which included targeting Waitrose, Tesco, M&S, and BP.

The 27-year-old was jailed at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (March 23), where he was given one month for each of the shoplifting offences to be served concurrently, and six months for a burglary to be served consecutively.

He was also handed a 10-month prison sentence for breaching a previous suspended sentence order, taking the total to 17 months.

Harris, of Castleton Road, Ruislip, had been arrested and charged on March 22 in Perivale, Greater London, after police work involving multiple units.

Detective Sergeant Darren Machin said: “We are pleased that a prolific shoplifter, who has targeted numerous shops across the district over the past year, has been taken off the streets.

“We are fully aware that shoplifting is a concern to local businesses so hopefully this result is reassuring.

“I hope a custodial sentence such as this shows that we take this type of crime seriously and that it will deter others from committing these types of offences."