A prolific thief has been jailed after he stole more than £2,000-worth of goods from shops and vehicles across Stoke-on-Trent.

John Martin, 31, of no fixed address, was sentenced to one year in prison at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Thursday (9 October) after he pleaded guilty to:

• Fifteen counts of theft from a shop
• Nine counts of theft from a motor vehicle
• Six counts of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000
• Two counts of vehicle interference – motor vehicle
• Two counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order
• One count of breaking/likely to break bail conditions – duty to surrender into the custody of a court
• One count of using threatening / abusive words / behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress
• One count of racially / religiously aggravated fear / provocation of violence by words / writing
• One count of possession of a controlled drug of class B – cannabis

It comes after Martin stole around £2,270-worth of goods from various shops and vehicles across Stoke-on-Trent between February and August this year.

PC Naomi Owen, from our problem-solving team for Stoke-on-Trent south, said: "Martin is a prolific offender, and we do not underestimate the impact that his crimes had on local people and businesses.

"An interim criminal behaviour order has also been made against Martin, which prevent him from entering nine stores across Stoke-on-Trent.

"We are committed to taking robust action against those who commit thefts and other offences in Stoke-on-Trent and wider Staffordshire."