A shoplifter who stole meat from a supermarket and threatened a security guard with a knife has been jailed.

Lee Whiting, 31, of no fixed address, stole large quantities of meat from a Strood supermarket on five separate occasions.

When he was confronted, he threatened a member of staff with a blade.

Whiting, was sentenced to 21 months in prison at Maidstone Crown Court after being found guilty of one count of threatening a person with a bladed article and admitting five counts of shoplifting.

The court heard that in November 2017 Whiting stole more than £700 from the M&S food hall in Strood Retail Park.

First, he filled a plastic bag full of meat before leaving the store after a member of staff approached him.

He returned on four occasions, heading straight to the meat aisle, filling up a bag and leaving and making no effort to pay for the items.

On his final attempt, the security officers approached Whiting, who then threatened them with a knife before leaving the store.

Det Insp Susan Smith, from Kent Police, said: “Whiting’s victims were fearful that they were going to be seriously harmed and his actions are completely inexcusable.

“Further to this, he has caused an honest and law abiding business to lose a significant amount of money. It is entirely appropriate that he has received a custodial sentence.”