A PROLIFIC shop thief has been jailed after he raided a Marks and Spencer and smashed a jar of truffle mayonnaise.

Jonathan Turner went into the store in East Street, Chichester, last month.

Staff asked him to leave because they believed he was drunk.

But the 36-year-old grabbed the condiment from a chilling cabinet, raised his arms, then dropped the jar.

He then slipped on the mayo after the jar had smashed.

As he left the store he hit a staff member in the face.

Staff told police, and Turner was arrested nearby.

Police say Turner has a “significant” history of committing crimes including assaults, burglaries and thefts.

At Crawley Magistrates’ Court he admitted assault and criminal damage.

He also admitted stealing alcohol and scratch cards from One Stop in St Paul’s Road, Chichester on August 14.

Turner was jailed for 24 weeks, and was already serving a suspended sentence for burglary and obstructing police.

In April The Argus how Turner was jailed for three months for burgling the same One Stop store at St Paul’s Road.

Staff had arrived to find the front window smashed.

Alcohol and scratch cards were missing. CCTV showed Turner breaking in, and staff recognised him as a regular customer.

Now Turner is starting a new prison sentence after damaging the £2.50 mayo jar.

He was ordered to pay £2.50 in compensation to M&S, and £75 in compensation to the staff member.

Police Sergeant Amy McAlees said: “Turner has a significant history of criminal activity including theft, burglary, violence, antisocial behaviour and more.

“It was important we pursued these two cases – working closely with Chichester Neighbourhood Policing Team, Chichester Neighbourhood Response Team and Chichester Criminal Investigations Department – which were committed while he was subject to a suspended sentence, meaning he will now spend several weeks behind bars.

“This conviction demonstrates that these types of offences will not be tolerated, and we will do all we can to protect the businesses in our community, and seek justice against those who continue to commit crime in our county.”

Turner, of Duncan Road, Chichester, is now behind bars.