A man has been charged with multiple counts of stealing items from shops in Basingstoke.

The offences are alleged to have taken place at the Co-op stores in Broadmere Road and Wallingford Road during between September 25 and December 1 this year.

Items that were reported stolen included meat and alcohol products, and were worth a combined total of £1971.15.

John Wagstaff, 43, of Sunnymead, Oakley, has been charged with 18 counts of theft from a shop.

He is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates Court today (Monday 9 December).

ENDS