A serial shoplifter with a lifetime ban from going to any TK Maxx store in the UK abused staff after breaching the order.

Connor Jones threatened to stab a security guard and a police officer after being chased out of the Canterbury branch.

Now, the 20-year-old from Shelley Avenue, Canterbury has been sent to a young offender's institution for six months after admitting two charges of making threats and possessing heroin.

Prosecutor Robert de Banzie told Canterbury Crown Court how Jones - who has 24 previous convictions, including many for shoplifting - was seen in the Canterbury store in January.

Security guard Sean Bryant saw him browsing and ordered him out of the store, even though there was no suggestion he was thieving.

The prosecutor said Mr Bryant was told by Jones: "If you arrest me I will ******* stab you in the face".

Outside, the guard told him: "You are all mouth!" Jones then pulled up his coat to reveal a black-handled knife tucked into his belt before threatening to "******* shank" Mr Bryant.

Mr De Banzie said Jones then walked off but police followed him to the junction of Dickens Avenue and Reed Avenue, where he disappeared into a house.

Mr De Banzie continued: "He emerged a couple of minutes later and was spotted by the officers and began to run away but stopped and threatened one of the officers: 'I will stab you with this knife'."

The court heard he tried to run away again after throwing the weapon into a nearby garden, but officers used a spray to stop and arrest him.

Mr De Banzie added that police later found two wraps of heroin in Jones' pocket.

Chris Wray, defending, said Jones' shoplifting was caused by his drug addiction.

The judge, Recorder Joanna Martin warned him that unless he took responsibility for his drug habit, he would end up killing himself or someone else.