A 41-year-old man from New Milton has been handed a community order and told to complete 40 hours of unpaid work after admitting to stealing from a New Milton store.

Kevin Michael Hoole, of Dinham Road, was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (14 January).

The sentencing follows an incident at Aldi, Starling Road on Friday 13 December, during which Hoole stole various items, valued at £53.37.

At Tuesday’s hearing, he learned that he will also have to pay £85 in costs.

PC Tom Jelly, of New Milton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Once again, I am pleased for the store in question, as well as the wider business community here, that Hoole 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 once again demonstrates our commitment to seriously tackling shoplifting across the New Forest.

“I hope this case again sends out a very clear message to others thinking of committing criminality in New Milton. We won’t tolerate it and we will 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.