A SERIAL 42-year-old Stroud shoplifter has been jailed because of the extent of his previous offending.

Matthew Edrich of Wheatley Mill, Stroud was jailed for 24 weeks at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court after admitting a series of charges and being convicted of others.

He stole a bottle of vodka and a bottle of Courvoisier brandy valued at £63.50 from Waitrose in Stroud on July 13.

On July 22 he stole two beef joints worth £18.27 from the same store and on July 20 he stole five beef joints valued at £53.40 from Waitrose.

On June 8 he stole a Ryobi hammer drill worth £82 from B&Q at Stroud and on March 10 from the same store he stole two Makita drills valued at £210.

He entered Lloyds Pharmacy as a trespasser with intent to steal on July 9 and on the same day he entered the staff area of Poundland in Stroud with intent to steal.

He also stole £36 worth of Carling lager from Tesco Express in Stroud.