Serial thief James Bingham was found hiding under a pile of clothes after stealing gift boxes worth more than £400.
The 45-year-old was identified on CCTV after the products were stolen from Wilko, on South Shields' Market Place between December 2 and December 7.
On Monday December 12 police attended the home of one of Bingham's relatives in the town, where he was soon rumbled and found hiding under a pile of clothes.
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Bingham was arrested and later charged with three counts of theft.
He appeared before magistrates in South Tyneside on December 13 where he pleaded guilty to all three offences.
Bingham, of Woodbine Street in South Shields, was jailed for 20 weeks meaning that he will spend the Christmas behind bars.
Sgt Tom Strawbridge, of Northumbria Police, said: “Bingham is a repeat thief who has continued to offend in South Tyneside, making zero effort to change his behaviour.
“Now, Bingham will have plenty of time to think about his actions as he spends the festive period behind bars."
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