A security guard bravely overpowered a thief who swung a stolen axe at him in a dramatic incident outside a Tesco.

David Boles, 52, of no fixed address, has been jailed for more than 16 months for the offence, with police praising the security guard for his courage.

Boles visited the B&Q in Lightship Way, Colchester on July 8 and took an axe without paying.

He was spotted by a member of the public, who managed to take a picture of him as he cycled off on a bright yellow bike.

Boles then cycled to Tesco in Greenstead Road, where he took two sandwiches and left without paying.

A security guard challenged Boles, who swore and swung the axe at him. He was overpowered and detained before officers arrived to arrest him.

Investigating officer DC Mike Heslegrave, of Colchester CID, said: "Boles entered two businesses and casually walked out without paying for items.

"However, his actions did not go unnoticed and he was caught on camera cycling away from one shop wearing a distinctive outfit and cycling a bright yellow bike,

"Boles was later challenged about his shoplifting and reacted by swing a stolen axe at the security guard, who bravely overpowered him. I'd like to praise him for his courage.

"Boles is now spending time locked in prison cell for his actions."

Boles was also sentenced for selling a stolen computer console at Cash Converters in High Street, Colchester, on Tuesday, July 30.

He was given 16 months for threatening a person with a bladed article and four months for handling stolen goods at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, August 13.

Both sentences will run consecutively.

Boles also received 60 days for theft of an axe, seven days for theft of sandwiches and three months for fraud, which will all run concurrently.