TWO prolific shoplifters who plundered stores in St Neots have been jailed.

Mark Devaney, 34, of Hall Road, Eynesbury, and Marcus Barwell, 39, of Park Crescent, Little Paxton, were responsible for a host thefts in the town.

Devaney, who has racked up 45 previous convictions for theft and related offences at various stores, had even been given a lifetime ban from Tesco stores due to his persistent stealing.

In his latest spree, he stole bottles of vodka and whisky from Waitrose on August 7 and August 14, electric razors from Tesco on August 12 and coffee and sweets from One Stop on August 14.

Barwell, who has 60 previous theft offences, stole five bottles of gin from the Co-op store.

The pair admitted the offences and were each jailed for a total of 12 weeks at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (August 23).

They will return to the court on Thursday (September 6) for a criminal anti-social behaviour order hearing.

PC Aaron Murphy said: “Devaney and Barwell are prolific shoplifters who have repeatedly targeted St Neots’ stores.

“Shoplifters are not welcome in the town and we will continue to work with shops and businesses to identify and arrest them.”