A SHOPLIFTER who assaulted a store detective has been jailed for 26 weeks.

Gary William Thomas Hudson, 28, of no fixed address, was found guilty of the attack at TK Maxx in Southampton on December 23.

Hudson was stealing clothing and shoes valued at £104.97 from the store in Above Bar Street when he was confronted by the store detective.

Southampton magistrates heard the attack resulted in a sustained struggle.

Hudson had denied a charge of assault by beating but was found guilty by the bench. He was ordered to pay the victim £300 compensation.

Hudson was also jailed for 12 weeks for the TK Maxx theft and a further eight weeks for stealing a miniature bottle of alcohol from the Ibis Hotel in Southampton on October 12 last year. Both sentences will run concurrently with the 26-week jail term. He was also told to pay TK Maxx £104 compensation.

Magistrates ordered Hudson to pay £620 costs and a £115 victim services surcharge.