A WINCHESTER man has been sentenced to 34 weeks in prison for theft and carrying a knife.

Stephen Wilson, 35, of Christchurch Road, pleaded guilty to four different shoplifting charges.

Between August 11 and 21, Wilson stole more than £700 worth of cosmetic and electrical items from Boots and Superdrug in Winchester High Street for which he was sentenced to eight weeks in prison.

READ MORE: Large police presence in Winchester as man arrested carrying a knife

The 35-year-old also pleaded guilty to carrying a folding lock knife in City Road on Wednesday, August 30. Wilson was further sentenced at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Friday, September 1 to 26 weeks in prison for possession of a knife.

The following day, to Wilson’s arrest in City Road, Simon Walters, 60, of Hyde Gate, was arrested on suspicion of carrying a knife down the same street.

Walters has been charged with possession of a knife or sharply bladed article. He is due to appear before Basingstoke Magistrates Court on September 19.

SEE ALSO: Winchester Police arrest three people in one day for shoplifting

There was a large police presence in the city on Thursday, August 31 while Winchester policing teams conducted a search.

Winchester Police warned of the dangers of knife crime on Facebook.

The post read: "Knife crime is extremely serious and any report of individuals carrying a knife in Winchester will be dealt with robustly.

"Officers are keen to stress that nobody was harmed in this incident but are thankful to the member of public who reported this incident to us. We would encourage others to do the same if they have concerns about someone carrying a knife."