A THIEF has been jailed after he attacked shop staff and police officers.

Michael Tucker, 36, was arrested soon after committing the offences in Braintree last Wednesday.

Tucker, of no fixed address, is alleged to have stolen a bottle of Prosecco from Iceland in Bank Street before committing the assaults.

Details of the attacks were made public by Braintree policing team who claimed Tucker had bitten retail workers.

They posted on Facebook: “Whilst officers from the Braintree town team were out on foot patrol yesterday they were flagged down by staff from Iceland in the town who made them aware of a violent male in Sainsbury’s.

“The male had been to their shop earlier and tried to steal Prosecco off the shop floor but when staff approached him he assaulted two members of staff by biting them.

“When officers arrived at Sainsbury’s the security guard was trying to restrain the male.

“The officers were kicked and spat at by the male whilst he was being arrested and remained violent throughout the time the officers were dealing with him.

“He was arrested for theft, actual bodily harm, two accounts of assault on emergency workers and two accounts of criminal damage.”

Tucker was charged with a string of offences and appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Among the charges were three counts of assault, theft, criminal damage and damaging a police holding cell.

Tucker admitted all eight charges brought against him and magistrates ordered him to spend eight weeks behind bars.

Tucker was also made to pay £340 in compensation, with the money going to the victims of the assault.

He must also pay £70 to Colchester police station after he admitted damaging the holding cell.