A MAN who went on a thieving spree and defecated on a police cell floor has been jailed for eight months.

Magistrates at Dartford imprisoned Craig Ellett, of Wakefield Road, Greenhithe, after hearing on Friday how he had urinated and soiled a holding cell at the new North Kent Police station, causing £200 of damage.

The 25-year-old, who has a cannabis addiction, was taken into custody after breaking into a car in search of items he could sell to pay for drugs.

The court heard from prosecutor Nick Markendale how on October 3, Ellett was seen breaking into a Renault Clio, which was parked at Swanscombe Leisure Centre, in Craylands Lane.

Its owner, who works at the centre, was informed by a colleague that someone was acting suspiciously by her car.

She ran outside and saw the front passenger door open and a man looking inside the vehicle.

After fleeing, Ellett was seen by a police officer and his profile matched a description reported by the owner of the car. A discarded glass hammer was also recovered near the scene.

He was arrested, but was uncooperative with officers in custody before causing damage to the police cell in Thames Way, Northfleet.

After his release on police bail, the 25-year-old continued to commit crimes. On November 6, he broke into two cars, parked in Greenhithe, and on November 26, he was spotted on CCTV walking past AMF bowling, in Gravesend, with an Asda shopping trolley full of toys worth £255.86 he had not paid for.

Store security staff followed him to the Overcliffe and asked him for a receipt, to which he replied: “No, I have nicked them.”

After his guilty plea to all offences, magistrates sentenced him to 240 days in prison, of which he must serve half, due to his early admission.

Chairman David Graeme said: “We believe you have failed to comply with any other requirements and the punishment needs to fit the crimes.”