A BECKENHAM man who threatened staff with a machete while shoplifting in Tesco, Elmers End, has been jailed for nearly four years.

Tony Steel, aged 36, of Arrol Road, was jailed for a total of three years and eight months after he pleaded guilty to theft, affray, common assault, having a dangerous weapon, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified.

He was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court and banned from driving for four years.

Police were called to Tesco at 3.32am on September 27 after Steel attempted to run off with a large trolley of shopping.

The trolley tipped over in the doorway and, as security staff attempted to stop Steel, he produced a large machete and started threatening them.

He jumped in his car and began driving around the store's car park, crashing into shopping trolleys, concrete bollards and lamp posts.

He fled the scene and drove along Croydon Road towards Croydon.

As police arrived at the scene, Steel drove back down Croydon Road and was pursued into Goddard Road, Beckenham.

Here he left the vehicle after crashing into a lamp post.

The Met Police helicopter directed officers to where Steel was hiding and he was detained after being tasered. The machete was recovered.

Steel continued to be violent towards hospital staff, where he was taken to be assessed, and later assaulted a detention officer at Bromley police station.