A prolific thief from Barnsley has been put behind bars after he stole booze from Tesco and spat at and kicked police officers after he was detained.

Dean Watson 44, of Faith Street, Barnsley, broke into a Tesco store on Wombwell Lane in Barnsley, earlier this month.

He stole multiple bottles of alcohol, worth over £138, before attempting to flee on foot.

Officers attended and quickly detained Watson, placing him in a marked vehicle.

Dean Watson was jailed

Watson then proceeded to damage the police car, kicking the interior.

While officers tried to further restrain Watson, he assaulted both officers, by spitting at them and kicking them.

Sergeant Paul Allen, from Barnsley District Support Hub, said: "No officer should go to work, experience abuse and be assaulted when they are just trying to do their job.

"Luckily the officers were not injured during this incident, and Watson is now facing the consequences of his actions."

He had shoplifted from a Tesco store

Watson was later charged with burglary, theft from a shop and two counts of assault of an emergency worker.

He appeared before Barnsley Magistrates Court on Monday, 9 June, where he pled guilty to all offences.

At the same court on the same date, he was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison and ordered to pay a compensation charge.