Two shoplifting brothers who targeted stores across south Essex have been sentenced.

Damien Barnes, 38, and Wayne Barnes, 37, of Beambridge Court, Basildon, each admitted six counts of shop theft when they appeared before Southend magistrates on Thursday, February 15.

Damien Barnes also admitted breaching a two-year criminal behaviour order by entering Tesco Express in Derry Avenue, South Ockendon on February 6 and stealing £40 worth of alcohol.

The court was told the brothers stole a total of about £300 of shampoo, hair conditioners, deodorants and toothpaste from Boots in Northlands Pavement, Pitsea, on four occasions between January 24 and February 14.

They also stole laundry detergent, coffee and meat, worth a total of about £25, from the Co-op in Canterbury Parade, South Ockendon, on December 30 and January 27.

Shortly after the final theft, police arrested the men at home.

Damien Barnes was jailed for a total of 26 weeks – which includes 12 weeks for breaching his criminal behaviour order – and ordered to pay a total of £211.90 in compensation.

His brother Wayne was given a six-week jail term suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay a total of £160.60 in compensation.

He is also subject to a 12-month exclusion requirement not to enter Boots in Northlands Pavement or the Co-op store in Canterbury Parade.

Investigating officer PC Alex Finch says: “Shoplifting is a not a low-level crime. The proceeds of shop theft can feed into bigger networks of criminal activity, which, in turn, use that money to fund drugs supply lines and other organised crime which causes misery in our communities.

“Shop thefts can also have a detrimental effect on shop staff and customers, who can be exposed to threats and abuse. Shoplifting can push up prices, too, as retailers seek to recoup their losses.

“So we take thefts from shops very seriously and seek to work with retailers to gather the evidence we need bring offenders to justice by securing charges and putting offenders before the courts.”