A prolific shoplifter who stole from stores dozens of times and assaulted staff who tried to stop him has been jailed. 

Hallum Elgood, 37, mainly targeted branches of Co-Op during a crime spree stealing items worth thousands of pounds.

He pleaded guilty to six offences, including thefts from Marks and Spencer and Currys, and asked for a further 28 shoplifting charges to be taken into consideration. 

Eastern Daily Press: Elgood assaulted a staff member who attempted to stop his stealing from M&SElgood assaulted a staff member who attempted to stop his stealing from M&S (Image: Google) 

Norwich Magistrates Court heard when he struck at M&S a female staff member was assaulted as she attempted to prevent him from leaving the store with a basket full of alcohol.

READ MORE: Shoplifter banned from (almost) every Great Yarmouth store

Prosecutor Nicola Lamb said his offending had been “prolific” and that he predominantly targeted the Co-Op with his thefts totalling more than £3,500.

He also stole gaming equipment including headsets worth £480 from Currys.

Elgood, of Gertrude Road in Norwich, has been on remand in HMP Norwich since August 12 after also admitting possession of a knife and thefts from vehicles. 

Eastern Daily Press: Elgood also told gaming equipment from Currys in NorwichElgood also told gaming equipment from Currys in Norwich (Image: Google)

Michael Cole, mitigating, said his offending had been drug-fuelled but he was now clean. 

He added: “He has also fessed up in prison by going through all the other offences and admitted what he has done so they can be taken into consideration.”

Jailing him for 36 weeks and ordering him to pay £100 compensation to the M&S worker, magistrates said: “The distress that you cause to these shops comes back to us all because we have to pay higher prices.”

READ MORE: Stealing from shops isn’t the victimless crime

Eastern Daily Press: Home Secretary Suella Braverman has told police to do more to tackle shopliftingHome Secretary Suella Braverman has told police to do more to tackle shoplifting (Image: PA)

It comes as Home Secretary Suella Braverman recently called on police to be tougher on record levels of shoplifting.

The Association of Convenience Stores has also written to police and crime commissioners calling for it to be easier to pass on evidence to find repeat and violent offenders.

Chief executive James Lowman said: “Theft and abuse are a blight on communities, with addicts and criminal gangs repeatedly targeting hardworking retailers and their colleagues.

“These are not victimless crimes, and they must be investigated to bring the most prolific offenders to justice.”