Two amateur body builders who deliberately hid syringes in supermarket food for a joke have been jailed for a year.

Matthew Keam, from Maidstone, and Bradley Scott, from Gillingham, put syringes into a cereal box, orange juice and Christmas decorations at Sainsbury's in Quarry Wood Industrial Estate, Aylesford.

They also left some among Christmas decorations displayed on an artificial tree. On most occasions the needles were covered with caps but one put in a packet of garlic bread had the sharp point exposed.

Staff and shoppers found the devices sticking out of or inside items at the supermarket between July 19 and December 6 last year.

Police said the pair were responsible for seven separate cases within five months.

An investigation revealed they were friends who went to the same gym and used the needles to inject steroids as part of a training regime. During a police interview, Scott admitted responsibility, giving no reason other than it was just "plain stupidity".

He added they had chosen the store simply because it was close to the gym.

Forensic DNA tests from the needles and syringes identified both men.

Keam, 24, of Kerry Hill Way, and Scott, 30, of Lyall Way, were arrested last December and pleaded guilty to contaminating food at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court in July.

During the trial, Toby Burrough, defending Scott, said: "The sole intention was they were looking for the shock value - 'wouldn't it be funny if someone saw that in there.'

"There was no intention to cause harm or blackmail the store."

The court also heard from prosecutor Anna Kachingwe who said the supermarket chain increased its security in response - hiring more staff and updating technology, costing £54,000.

Because of the seriousness of the offences, the duo were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court.

DC Barrie Prowse, of west Kent CID, said: "These offences would no doubt have caused considerable distress, anxiety and revulsion among shoppers and staff, alike.

"Whilst the needles repeatedly placed in items were found to be capped, there was clearly potential for serious injury to anyone who may have had the misfortune of finding these items.

"Both Scott and Keam have shown genuine remorse for their reckless behaviour, however protection of the general public and the safety of any food supply chain are of paramount importance, leaving the courts with little choice but to impose custodial sentences."

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

For information on how we can report on court proceedings, click here.