A MEAT thief tried to use a chain as a weapon to avoid being arrested.

Robert Cole was stopped by police after stealing £69 worth of meat from the Co-op in Church Road, Hove.

The 35-year-old also tried to resist being caught and threatened a police sergeant with a chain.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court Cole admitted theft, assaulting an emergency worker, and obstructing the police in their duties.

Cole, of St Catherine’s Terrace, Hove, was jailed for a total of 16 weeks.

His offences “involved a threat to use a chain as a weapon and attempt to evade arrest”.

He was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the police officer he had made the threat to.