A MAN who shoplifted from supermarkets then threatened staff with weapons when challenged, has been jailed for almost three years.

Gurvinder Mann, 38, of Pursers Court, Slough, was convicted of three counts of shoplifting, two of threatening a person with a bladed article, and one of affray at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday, January 31.

He was sentenced to a total of two years and 10 months' imprisonment.

Investigating officer PC Joshua Webber, of the Slough Investigation Hub, said: “This conviction shows how seriously Thames Valley Police takes offences of this nature.

“Knife crime is not acceptable and Thames Valley Police will always thoroughly investigate those who seek to carry out such crimes and protect security staff who are just carrying out their duty and should not be subjected to threats.”

On July 3 Mann entered the Tesco store in Wellington Street, Slough, and stole four bottles of alcohol. When he was stopped he threatened security staff with a knife. On July 22 he did the same at Sainsbury's in Uxbridge Road, Slough. On a third occasion on August 7, also at Sainsbury's, he produced a screwdriver when challenged by staff.

Mann was charged with the offences on August 8 last year.