A MONMOUTH man who carried out a string of shoplifting offences in the town centre in November and December has been sentenced to 42 weeks in prison.

Newport Magistrates Court also gave Roger Nugent of Hendre Close, Monmouth a three year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and ordered him to pay more than £1,000 in compensation.

The CBO has conditions preventing Nugent from entering any retail premises on Monnow Street, Monnow Arch, Blestium Street, Agincourt Square, Priory Street or Cinderhill Street.

He is also forbidden from operating or pushing a pedal cycle in those areas.

The shoplifting offences took place between 15th November and 31st December 2018, all but one at shops in Monnow Street.

Nugent was arrested on New Year’s Eve and pleaded guilty to all the offences at Newport Magistrates Court on 4th January.

The stolen items ranged from alcohol, children’s books, toys, meat, cosmetics and razor blades to a Christmas tree.

Waitrose was targeted on eight occasions, WHSmith three times and M&S and Boots once each. There was one other theft, from Budgens in Cinderhill Street.

After his sentencing, PC Chris Butt, of Gwent Police’s North Monmouthshire neighbourhood policing team, said: “This individual was responsible for causing significant financial loss to all major shops across Monmouth over the Christmas period.

“Following an extensive investigation by officers, Nugent was convicted in court and is now serving time in prison.

“The Criminal Behaviour Order will prevent him from engaging in any further criminal or anti-social activity when he is released from prison.”