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Steven Parkinson, 37, became "bullish" when suspicious employees at Aldi, on Aldcliffe Road, Lancaster, asked to see the contents of his bag.

The thief, who has 52 convictions for 132 offences, fell foul of mandatory sentencing rules due to previous similar offences on his record, meaning he had to be jailed for a minimum of six months.

Judge Philip Parry, sentencing, said: "Nobody was harmed but no doubt the two staff were very frightened by you, a man, desperate to get away, with a needle."

Steven Parkinson, pictured in 2016 when he was jailed for threatening to stab staff in another incident

Karen Brooks, prosecuting, said: "The defendant entered Aldi in Lancaster at around 7pm on August 27.

" He was seen to pick up bottles of gin and walk toward the toilet area, and placed them in a bag. He then came out of the toilet area.

"He was challenged for his bag to be checked. He refused to allow the manager or security guard and became quite bullish about it.

"He then pulled out the needle, and despite being challenged a number of times to put the needle down and allow the search of his bags the defendant pushed his way past the security guard.

The court heard Parkinson eventually dropped the needle when a police officer arrived.

Three bottles of gin and a yoghurt were discovered in his bag, which was lined with foil to prevent security alarms being activated.

Jacob Dyer, defending, said: "He clearly has a record of similar offending and it's clear he's struggled for many years with alcohol and drugs.

"In truth he says he struggled following his prison release. He lost his accommodation and was sofa surfing and didn't manage to sort out his benefits, and so it was perhaps inevitable he returned to shoplifting."

Parkinson admitted theft and possession of a sharply pointed article.

Ordering forfeiture of the needle, Judge Parry said Parkinson's record showed he would "kick off" quite frequently when challenged.

He added: "When you were confronted you produced a needle from your bag and that must have been very frightening for the people who were confronted by you.

"You brandished the needle towards them, and at any time that's going to be a frightening thing to be confronted with. Luckily the police officer was very close by.

"Unfortunately for you this isn't the first time you've found yourself in this situation."

Lancaster gin thief brandished needle at Aldi staff