A PROLIFIC thief stole lamb, fish and cheese from a number of shops in Hythe.

David Emblen appeared in court charged with six counts of theft following a string of incidents.

On February 1 and 3, the 37-year-old stole meat and fish worth £145,80 from a Tesco store.

On March 10, he visited a Waitrose store in Hythe and stole a "large quantity" of lamb and beef.

He returned on March 20 and stole six legs of lamb worth £213 before returning the next day to steal a further five legs of lamb worth £97.60.

On April 13, he visited a Tesco store and stole food and drinks worth £15.

He then £70 worth of cheese from a One Stop store on June 25.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates Court, he admitted six charges of theft from a shop.

Emblen, of Ashford Crescent, Hythe, was remanded on conditional bail until the next hearing on August 23 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.