A MAN who stole two bottles of vodka and threatened shop security staff with a knife has been jailed.

Richard Aaron Stillman, 33, of North Walk in Barry, pleaded guilty to four offences including two counts of theft, affray, threatening someone with an offensive weapon and common assault as he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court via videolink on Wednesday, October 11.

The incident in question took place on May 27 at the Aldi store on Cowbridge Road East in Ely.

Stuart Macleese, prosecuting, said there was CCTV footage of Stillman stealing the vodka.

He said: "A security guard saw the defendant and another woman leaving the store and walking past him.

"He challenged the defendant who said he didn't have anything.

"More staff arrived and they heard a bottle clink."

Mr Macleese said Stillman became agitated and kept trying to walk away.

When asked to come back Stillman said "if you want trouble I will give you trouble."

He revealed that he had a knife in his waist band and the security guards begun to back away.

One guard fell over and the defendant and the woman made off.

He was later found by police in the kitchen of an address in Ely with a needle.

The officers asked him to put the needle down before he did but continued to be aggressive.

He also pleaded guilty to the theft of a wallet on March 26 from a group in Bute Park in Cardiff.

He asked the group to throw him the ball they were playing with and asked if he could join in.

The group thought he was under the influence of alcohol.

He threw back the ball and fell on top of the group's jackets in what they describe as a "forward roll."

He took a wallet and a phone from the jacket.

The group managed to retrieve the phone but not the wallet.

Mr Macleese said Stillman has 67 convictions for 187 offences including possession of a knife and affray.

David Pinnell, defending, said the "entrenched pattern" of offending was "all caused by a long standing problem with drug abuse."

"The defendant makes it clear that he understands that he has no hope of remaining drug free if he is to be released locally.

"The temptation is going to be too great."

But he said the defendant has already served five months and is drug free and determined to remain so.

Mr Pinnell said he wants a clean start and a break in offending which is so badly needed.

Judge Michael Fitton said Stillman's record of convictions is "appalling" and labelled the theft from the group an "opportunist" one.

Stillman was sentenced to a total of 26 months in prison.