A drug addict who wielded an umbrella as a weapon when he and another man burst into a flat demanding cash and drugs has been jailed for six years.

Richard Tarrant will have to serve four years before release under an extended sentence for public protection after a judge found he was a danger.

The 29-year-old repeat offender, of no fixed address, will be on licence for a further two years.

Tarrant stood trial earlier this year with Ilir Meta, 33, of Luton Road, Chatham. Meta was jailed for six years in March.

The two men went to the flat in Luton Road on June 15 last year. Joshua Kingston, who was there with two others, went to the door and it was pushed open.

They started shouting: "Where's the money? Where are the drugs?"

"The defendant was holding a golf umbrella as a sword-like implement," prosecutor Ian Foinette told Maidstone Crown Court. "He said, 'Do as you are told or it will go wrong.'"

Tarrant and Meta grabbed £260 from a tin, but continued to demand drugs.

"I reach the view that you are dangerous and likely to be for the foreseeable future. You have had a troubled life, some of which has been of your own making..." - Judge Jeremy Carey

"They were suggesting they must have been involved in drugs," said Mr Foinette. "They asked who they worked for. They said they owned Luton Road and they were bigger.

"They said they should work for them or they would make their lives difficult. They found a small amount of cannabis and took that."

When arrested, Tarrant denied going to the flat and claimed he was probably picked out of an identification procedure because he was a well-known character in the area.

He denied robbery, but was convicted by a jury. He had a long list of previous convictions and served prison sentences for offences including robbery and wounding.

Tarrant - who had been recalled to prison on licence - apologised to Judge Jeremy Carey, saying: "I am sorry for pleading not guilty and wasting the court's time. I do accept the fact I can be dangerous. I am sorry for the impact on the victims."

Judge Carey told Tarrant: "I reach the view that you are dangerous and likely to be for the foreseeable future. You have had a troubled life, some of which has been of your own making.

"You have a number of personality disorders, both paranoid and anti-social. I make a strong recommendation for a programme to address your personality disorders."

Stories you might have missed

Thousands raised for teacher with just months to live

Police use tasers hundreds of times in Kent in year

Thames Estuary airport plans would be 'Mickey Mouse'

M25 reopens after van crash damages barrier