A drug addict who stole imitation guns from a car and then threatened a police officer with one of them has been jailed for over six years.

Patrick Oxley took the airsoft weapons – similar to those used in paintballing, but fire plastic pellets – from a Mitsubishi Challenger belonging to Anthony Gould in Berrridge Road, Sheerness, overnight on November 24 last year.

Four days later three police officers in plain clothes saw the 25-year-old and another man in Sheerness High Street.

Prosecutor Tom Dunn said the officers saw that Oxley had a gun. Asked what he was doing, he replied: “It doesn’t matter.” He refused to put it down.

He was told not to be silly and warned that his behaviour was going to affect the rest of his life. But Oxley said: “Just leave us alone.”

He was trying to control the situation,” Mr Dunn told Maidstone Crown Court. “The officers decided to withdraw.”

When later arrested, Oxley denied he intended to frighten the officers. He said he had the gun because he was on his way to see a drug dealer to threaten him with the gun.

Oxley, of Invicta Road, Sheerness, admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and stealing the airsoft guns worth £4,000.

He also admitted stealing 40 laptop computers worth £22,750 while working as a van driver for FedEx on October 26.

The father-to-be further admitted burgling a garage in Invicta Road on November 26, stealing a scooter and mountain bike belonging to Michelle Ludlam, and burgling garages on three plots in Daffodil Avenue on October 8 and two houses under construction in Nettle Way on October 20, stealing a washing machine and dish washer.

Jailing Oxley for six years and four months, Judge Martin Joy said the offences were serious and there could be no complaint if consecutive sentences were passed.

He said of the gun offence: “The police officer believed violence would be used. I have heard that chilling account. You made sure he knew you had this weapon.”

The judge imposed the minimum mandatory sentence of five years for the gun crimes and 16 months consecutive for the other offences.

Investigating officer PC Robert Feasey said: "Oxley has shown us what he is capable of and we believe he is a very dangerous individual.

"Burglary is an intrusive crime that can often leave victims with emotional scars. Weapons, whether real or not, will certainly not be tolerated in Kent and officers will do everything in their power to ensure crimes like these are dealt with robustly.

"We are pleased with this sentence and the public can be reassured that he is now in a place where he can no longer pose a threat to them."