A violent shoplifter bit an-off duty police officer multiple times and attacked him with scissors after he tried to stop her.

Rebecca Lee, of no fixed address, left the Thistle Hill Co-op in Minster on Sheppey last Thursday without paying for items valued at around £50.

She also threatened and assaulted a member of staff who attempted to stop her leaving.

An off-duty Kent Police sergeant who was in the area, was alerted and approached the 42-year-old outside the Aspen Drive shop.

After he identified himself as an officer she assaulted him with a pair of scissors and bit him multiple times.

Police attended the scene and she was taken into custody.

Lee was later charged with theft, assault, assaulting an emergency worker and possessing a bladed article in a public place.

She was also charged with a further count of theft from McColl’s in Milton Regis High Street, near Sittingbourne, on February 3.

She pleaded guilty to all the indictments at her first hearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and was immediately sent to prison for six months.

Inspector Barry Carr said: “Our constables are committed to tackling prolific thieves and, in this case, a dedicated officer chose to intervene whilst off duty when he saw a crime underway in a local Sheppey shop.

“He was assaulted by this particularly unpleasant and violent individual but detained her until the arrival of some of his colleagues.

“Criminals who choose to target local businesses, particularly those who resort to violence, can expect to be charged and brought before the courts at the earliest opportunity.”