A HOMELESS man who had a lock knife has been jailed for threatening a member of staff after stealing from Poundland in Worcester.

Jason Watkins, aged 29, who gave a care off address as Brickfields Road, Worcester, admitted theft, possession of a bladed article and a public order offence when he appeared before district judge Nigel Cadbury at the city's magistrates court on Thursday.

These offences also placed him in breach of a suspended sentence, imposed for driving while disqualified and drug driving.

Watkins entered Poundland in Worcester on July 14 where he was observed by staff behaving suspiciously on CCTV. He left without paying, taking £13 worth of goods including batteries, gift sets, wipes and a bracelet.

Owen Beale, prosecuting, said Watkins was challenged by Paul Parker, a member of staff although the knife was never produced or used to threaten him.

He said: “He pushed his forehead against Mr Parker’s and said ‘what are you going to do about it? Nothing!' It made Mr Parker think he was going to be headbutted."

Later that day Watkins was arrested in Deansway where he was found to be in possession of a lock knife.

Mr Beale added: “He accepted he had taken the items for his own personal use and accepted he had made the comment to Mr Parker and accepted he had the knife in his possession and said he had forgotten it was there.”

Rob Macrory, defending, said Watkins had not complied with his court order, failing to attend appointments on June 28 and July 4. The suspended sentence order was made around six and a half months ago Mr Macrory said.

He added that Watkins had been living rough, living on street corners or in fields or ‘wherever he can put his head down’. Watkins hopes to get employment soon and had managed to secure a caravan in Malvern, near the railway station.

“He did not have any sinister intent with regard to the lock knife” he said. He asked the district judge not to activate the suspended sentence as Watkins had been homeless throughout this period.

District judge Nigel Cadbury said: “The most serious offence is the possession of the lock knife. It’s not used in dangerous circumstances. It’s not used to threaten or cause fear.”

He added: “Not only have you committed this offence whilst subject to the suspended sentence but you have failed to comply with the terms of the suspended sentence. You’re not a first time offender. In those circumstances it has to be an immediate custodial prison sentence for possession of the knife. You are rather fortunate you forgot about it. If you had brandished it you would be going to prison for a great deal longer than you are.”

Mr Cadbury jailed Watkins for 20 weeks. No separate penalty was imposed for the section five public order offence. He ordered the knife to be destroyed and that Watkins pay a £115 victim surcharge.