A British Muslim who threatened to blow up a Kent shopping centre on one of its busiest shopping days has been jailed for a year.

Saeed Ghafoor, 33, claimed he was plotting to pack three limousines with gas canisters and detonate them at Bluewater on a Saturday.

The Old Bailey heard that Ghafoor was serving a 12-month prison sentence for trying to strangle his sister when he made the threat to prison officers at Haverigg, Cumbria.

Prosecutor Piers Arnold said: "He appeared calm, precise and focused. He repeated the threat that he was going to blow up the Bluewater shopping centre a number of times."

When asked why Bluewater, Ghafoor replied because it was the largest in England and was in protest against American and British soldiers who "should all be blown up".

Ghafoor, of Southampton, was arrested at the gate of HMP Haverigg upon his release two months ago.

Ghafoor was charged with one count of making threats to cause criminal damage. He pleaded guilty at Southampton Crown Court in April this year and the case was committed to the Old Bailey.

Bluewater has previously been a target for terrorists. Five men were jailed in April last year for planning to bomb the complex.