A 35-year-old man has been jailed for 18 weeks for handling stolen goods and stealing booze from a Harpenden shop.

Simon Speer, from Langley Grove in Sandridge, was convicted of handling a stolen iPod and sunglasses and stealing two bottles of spirits from the Co-Op in Harpenden on Monday, April 9.

He was stopped in a taxi and found with meat and electrical items, which were believed to be stolen.

Speer was sentenced to six weeks for the theft and handling, and also given 12 weeks for a previously suspended sentence for three fraud offences, including attempting to use a stolen credit card, shoplifting and handling stolen property.

He was also given a week imprisonment for breaching his licence and fined £247 in fines and costs.

Det Insp Alex Warwick said: “This is a significant sentence for handling and theft. I hope this sends out a message to anyone intent on this kind of crime to know that they will end up in prison.”