A Battersea man has been jailed after stealing handbags worth nearly £3,000 from TK Maxx near Clapham Junction station.

Shane Ecclestone, 44, of Parkham Street, admitted stealing one handbag worth £699.99 from the shop in St John's Road on May 18 and then returning the next day to steal five handbags worth £2,000. 

Appearing at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on May 24, he was sent to prison for 16 weeks because the offences were serious and magistrates noted he has previous convictions.

Ecclestone was also told to pay £200. 

Officer Will Scott-Barrett, police officer in Northcote, said: "He was arrested by officers from the Emergency Response Team on May 23 after being spotted by security staff from the store. He was interviewed and charged by officers from the Northcote Safer Neighbourhood Team and appeared at court the day after."