A 39-year-old man from Southampton has been jailed for three months after admitting to stealing £528 worth of alcohol from an Eastleigh store.

Martyn Paul Goddard, of Millbrook Road East appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday 25 September).

He was sentenced to time behind bars after the judge remarked that he had shown a flagrant disregard for people and their property.

Goddard pleaded guilty to four thefts from Tesco, The Swan Centre between Monday 25 August and Tuesday 23 September.

The items he stole were spirits, including whiskey and gin.

Inspector Andy Mooge, of Eastleigh Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I’m pleased for the store in question, as well as the wider business community here, that Goddard has been held accountable for his actions.

“Retail crime is one of our local priorities, in addition to all the other work that the team deal with on a daily basis.

“This case should once again demonstrate our commitment to seriously tackling shoplifting across the Eastleigh area.’

Directly addressing the store and staff themselves, Inspector Mooge, said: “I must also place on record my huge thanks to the business concerned in this case for their support throughout our investigation.

“If it wasn’t for their hard work and help along the way, identifying Goddard and getting him to court would have been that much harder.

“I hope this outcome again demonstrates to businesses in Eastleigh that we take shoplifting seriously. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and we know this type of offending has an impact on business owners, shoppers, and local residents.

“I also hope this case sends out a very clear message to shoplifters, and anyone else thinking of committing criminality in our area, that we will not tolerate it and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring you before the courts.”

If you are a shop owner or staff member, please continue to report any shopliftings to us.

You can do this by calling 101, or by reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.

Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or via the below link;

Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers

With your information, we can take action, including arresting and charging suspects and convicting offenders at court, as the above again demonstrates.