A shoplifter who caused "misery" to his community has been jailed for 16 months.

Paul Niven, 40, of Scrubbitts Square, Radlett, has been sentenced for a spate of crimes that police say mainly occurred in his neighbourhood.

At St Albans Crown Court on March 23, Niven was jailed in connection with a number of offences.

This included theft from a vehicle, ten shopliftings and theft from a car, four shopliftings and a commercial burglary whilst on a suspended sentence, theft of bank cards and fraudulent use whilst on a suspended sentence, possession of cannabis and heroin, and possession of cannabis.

PC Kris Endersbee, from the Bushey and Radlett safer neighbourhood team, said: "We know that Niven’s offending caused misery to the local community and so we wanted to share this news with you. I hope it offers reassurance to local residents.

"As for Niven, I hope he spends him time behind bars wisely and thinks carefully about the impact that his offending has had on others."