A violent serial offender with more than 100 convictions has been jailed for threatening a court security guard.

Darren Turpin, 50, was due to stand trial for common assault when he threatened security at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court.

A trial heard the former Granary, Paddock Wood, resident began to threaten security after being told he could not sit in the public gallery.

Prosecutor Paul Shaw said Turpin had recently been released from prison for assaulting a police constable when he arrived for his afternoon trial in the morning of August 1.

When told he would have to wait, the court heard Turpin stepped outside, only to return minutes later.

He then passed through the metal detector at the court's entrance and tried to enter a public gallery.

Security guard Geordie Liddle intervened and told Turpin he could not sit in the gallery as none of the courtrooms were open.

Mr Shaw told the court: "Mr Liddle maintained a relaxed posture, however Mr Turpin began hunching his shoulders to appear bigger and clenching his fists.

"He began to adopt a fighting posture, bouncing around as if preparing to box.

"He then requested Mr Liddle go outside and fight with him."

Turpin pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.

The court heard Turpin had a total of 105 convictions for 226 offences, prior to last week's trial.

Sentencing Turpin to 90 days in prison, chair of the bench Pam Dhadwal said: "You are a prolific offender.

"This is a career that you have and it's an unhappy situation that many of the offences are against people.

"This incident was in a public arena, it's against a person who is a public security guard and is there to protect."

Midway through sentencing Turpin turned and left the court, returning to his cell after hearing his prison sentence.

In his absence, Turpin was ordered to pay £265 in costs, but avoided having to pay compensation to his victim.

Addressing Mr Liddle, Ms Dhadwal said: "It's unfortunate you had to go through what you did that day, it's not acceptable and Mr Turpin knows that."