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A man has been jailed for eight months for possessing a knife and stealing a bottle of cider from a convenience store.

The incident happened on December 9 at the Premier Store on Nantgarw Road, Caerphilly.

Gareth Rousen, 36, of Nantgarw Road, Caerphilly, appeared at Newport Crown Court on February 1.

He pleaded guilty to theft and possessing a knife in a public place.

The court heard how Rousen entered the store after being chased by a mob. He told a member of staff he would stab the mob if they came into the shop, and that he had gone into the shop because it had CCTV.

While in the store, he took a bottle of Frostie Jack’s cider worth £3.70 and started drinking it.

PC Mark Powell, of Gwent Police, said: “Rousen committed theft from a shop and while doing so was in possession of a large knife. This was a distressing situation for the shop worker.

“The use of knives in our communities will not be tolerated and we will take action against anyone found to be in possession of a knife in public.

“If anyone has any information about individuals carrying knives or has any concerns, please call Gwent police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.” 

Rousen, who has 60 previous convictions, was also ordered to pay a £156 victim surcharge upon release. The victim surcharge goes towards funding victim services.