A man has been jailed for five years after admitting carrying out a terrifying knife-point robbery at a supermarket.

Clive Tilley, of Tobruk Way, Chatham, was challenged by a member of staff when he tried to leave Tesco, in Liberty Quays, without paying for a case of cider.

But the 28-year-old, pictured left, pulled out a knife and told the worker: "Or what?"

Tilley then walked out of the store, in the new riverside development near the Strand in Gillingham.

He was arrested several days later after being identified as a possible suspect from CCTV footage.

Tilley was charged with robbery, possession of a bladed article in a public place and a public order offence of using behaviour to cause fear last June.

He was also charged with two shoplifting offences from the same store, which he committed in April and took bottles of wine without paying.

Tilley had initially denied the offences, but has now changed his plea to guilty on the first day of his trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Investigating officer DC Jo Paine said: "Tilley carried out brazen thefts from the Tesco store and when challenged by members of staff threatened them with a knife.

"This was an extremely serious offence, so we are pleased he has been recognised as a dangerous offender and given a significant prison sentence.

"Fortunately no-one was hurt during the thefts or robbery and I would like to thank the staff at the store for their support during the police investigation.

"Anyone who carries a knife won’t be tolerated by Kent Police and this case proves that those who do so, and use it to threaten members of the community, will be brought to justice and jailed."