A 35-year-old man from Blackfield has been charged with shoplifting from two stores in Hythe.

Robert Jones, of Pendleton Gardens, has been charged with two counts of shoplifting and escape from lawful custody.

The charges follow reported shopliftings from One Stop, Beaulieu Road on Tuesday 7 January and Superdrug, High Street on Thursday 16 January.

Jones faced the charges when he appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday 13 February).

He has been remanded in custody to next appear at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday 13 March.