The Easter Bunny found his egg supply depleted after a prolific shoplifter stole almost 800 Cadbury’s Crème Eggs.

Layton Richards, 29, has been jailed for eight months after targeting multiple shops across Hampshire, Dorset, and West Sussex, including 13 Co-Op stores.

Richards faced 24 charges of shoplifting at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on July 26. His crimes occurred between January 6 and April 18. With 21 offences taking place in Hampshire, specifically in Hedge End, Portsmouth, Waterlooville, Emsworth, Liphook, Gosport, and Fareham. The remaining incidents occurred in Bournemouth and West Sussex.

During his spree, Richards stole goods worth £3,463.96 from 19 stores. His haul included 798 Cadbury’s Crème Eggs.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s retail crime lead, Chief Inspector Marcus Cator, said: “This sentence is just one result of an ongoing and dedicated focus on targeting our most prolific offenders as effectively as possible. We have been working in strong partnership with retailers regarding offenders who repeatedly target stores and victims with their persistent, and often intimidating, criminality.

“Thanks to this collaboration, we have stronger cases being presented to the Crown Prosecution Service. We want to continue sending the message to repeat offenders that their behaviour, and the impact it has on its victims, is not acceptable, while also receiving any support they require to help steer them away from shoplifting.

“It is important that we continue to focus on retail crime, protecting victims and ensuring that offenders are held to account for their criminality.”

Southern Co-Op Loss Prevention & Security Manager Gareth Lewis said: “This outcome is yet another positive example of our ongoing collaborative work with Hampshire Police. The only way for the business community to tackle the evidenced increase in retail crime is to work together and to provide the police (and other agencies), with the information and evidence required.”