Layton Richards, 29, was charged with 24 offences after stealing the chocolate from 19 different shops in the south of England between January and April.

He stole a total of £3,463.96 worth of produce and products (around €4,100), including 798 of the popular Easter treat, Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard.

Richards was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s retail crime lead, chief inspector Marcus Cator, said: “This sentence is just one result of an ongoing and dedicated focus on targeting our most prolific offenders as effectively as possible.

“We have been working in strong partnership with retailers regarding offenders who repeatedly target stores and victims with their persistent, and often intimidating, criminality.”