A former Thanet UKIP councillor was today branded a hypocrite, a thief and a liar by a judge.

A jury at Canterbury Crown Court decided that Helen Smith DID injure a garden centre manager while trying to escape with more than £847 worth of stolen goods.

Smith had been “tracked” around the Wyevale Garden Centre in Thanet by staff - because of a "previous incident".

Smith, 53, from St John's Avenue, Ramsgate denied theft, assault and driving dangerously in April 2015.

After the verdicts Smith – who will be sentenced in a couple of weeks, asked: “Can I say something?”

Judge Rupert Lowe retorted: “No, you may not!”

The judge then told her she had been “thoroughly dishonest” in giving evidence and urged her to “tell the truth to probation” who were preparing a sentencing report.

Judge Lowe added: “When you put yourself forward for public office and are campaigning to be elected you shouldn’t be stealing from shops.

“They make themselves out to be upstanding members of the community but are then caught stealing £800 worth of items hoping to get away with it. It’s hypocritical.”

Smith claimed she quit the council after her arrest because of "health issues".

Prosecutor Craig Evans told how Smith had gone with her partner, together with a guide dog - to the garden centre.

There the couple piled items on a trolley - from gold chocolate bunnies to a parasol...but left the store separately.

The prosecutor said: "Staff took the view that the items weren't carefully selected. They appeared to have been indiscriminately thrown into the trolley. "

He said Smith's partner paid for some items "but certainly not for all" and it have been “a ruse”.

“Staff noticed that the trolley was packed so high that it towered over a wall which surrounded a restaurant.”

The jury heard that Smith was followed for between 30 to 45 minutes before staff “got themselves into position in case Smith tried to leave the store.”

Smith and her partner left through the front entrance “without attempting to pay”.

Outside, Smith got into a Fiat and staff “fearing that items were about to be stolen, had positioned a staff van to prevent them leaving and alerted police.”

Mr Evans said that staff member Kerry Walker asked the couple for a receipt for the goods in the car.

“Despite saying they had one, neither was able to produce a receipt. Smith then turned on the engine and tried to reverse, hitting Ms Walker with its wing mirror.

“As she reversed, the car hit the company van and Ms Walker then stood in front of the Fiat. Smith then moved forward and struck Ms Walker’s ankle, causing her to shout out in pain.

After the police arrived checks were made and the garden centre that no sale above £479.20 had been made that day, “the jury was told.

Smith, who had stood for Thanet District and Ramsgate Town Councils, was remanded on bail pending reports.