A prolific shoplifter from Maidstone has been jailed after repeatedly stealing from supermarkets located just a short walk from his home.

Danny Couldridge, 37, of Acorn Place, was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison following a series of thefts at local stores during December 2024.

Couldridge targeted Co-op branches on Willington Street and Northumberland Road, as well as a Morrisons supermarket near Sutton Road, in a spree that saw him commit five separate thefts, stealing items worth hundreds of pounds.

Among the stolen goods were large quantities of chocolate, including one incident in which 20 boxes of Ferrero Rocher were taken from Morrisons.

He was first arrested and charged on 3 January 2025 for all five offences. However, after being released on bail and ordered to appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court, Couldridge failed to attend the scheduled hearing the following month.

A warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest. He was detained again on 9 March and remanded in custody.

On 11 March, he appeared before Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to all charges and was immediately sentenced to a 10-week custodial term.

Local authorities have described Couldridge as a persistent offender, with the recent thefts adding to a pattern of criminal behaviour in the area.

The sentencing has been welcomed by residents and shopkeepers, who hope it brings an end to the disruptive series of thefts in the neighbourhood.