sentence for a string of thefts from several Hamilton stores has had his appeal rejected in Supreme Court.

Buford Smith, 37, had initially been given a three-month suspended sentence back in March for numerous shoplifting offences.

He was then arrested for committing further offences in June -- at which point the suspended sentence was activated.

The Lusher Hill resident stole a number of items from five retail stores.

Chief Justice Austin Ward heard the appeal as defence lawyer Elizabeth Christopher argued that Smith be given an alternative sentence rather than be taken to Westgate.

Ms Christopher also suggested that Smith could attend a rehabilitation programme. Smith, who has been in custody since June, has convictions dating back to 1997, but his lawyer noted that in the two-and-a-half years between the offences, he had steered clear of crime.

Crown counsel Charmaine Smith said that the Crown believed that the sentence handed down was fair and that there should be no changes.

Mr. Ward said that he saw nothing which would impress him to change the sentence and dismissed the case.