A thief has narrowly avoided jail after stealing almost £160 of alcohol and other items

Peter Solly, 40, stole meat and cheese from one shop and five bottles of alcohol from another store.

Solly, of Canterbury Street, Gillingham, took the meat and cheese in March this year and the alcohol, valued at £159 in November last year.

He appeared before magistrates in Medway earlier this month where he pleaded guilty to two shoplifting offences.

The court heard the Solly stole the meat and cheese from the Co-Op on Twydall Green and the alcohol from a Sainsbury’s store on the Quarry Wood Industrial Estate, in Aylesford.

Magistrates jailed him fro 120 days but suspended the term for 12 months.

Solly was also ordered to pay £239 in compensation.