A man has been jailed after carrying a knife in a supermarket and spitting at officers.

Delroy Samuels was detained after being seen with a knife in an Ashford supermarket on Wednesday, August 26.

The 39-year-old then threatened, spat at and tried to bite an officer who was taking him in to custody.

Samuels, of Jubilee Crescent, Gravesend, appeared at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, September 28 and admitted possession of a bladed article, assaulting an emergency worker and affray.

He was jailed for two years and four months on Thursday, October 1.

Ahead of his August arrest, witnesses said he had been arguing with a woman before taking a knife from his pocket and forcing the blade into a cardboard DVD display stand.

Officers who attended to search the area found Samuels nearby.

A police spokesman said: "The knife was not located, but Samuels was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly after making threats to kill officers.

"After he was put in a police car to be taken to custody, he repeatedly tried to bite an officer and spat in the officer's face. He was restrained but continued to struggle and shout threats at the officer."

Chief Inspector Nick Sparkes, District Commander for Ashford, said: "It is never acceptable for anyone to abuse or assault our officers as they go about their work keeping the community safe.

"Being assaulted must never be seen as 'part of the job' of being a police officer and we will seek the prosecution of anyone who commits such offences.

"The message from this case is clear; assault our officers and you could end up serving a prison sentence."

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