A robber has been locked up after admitting carrying out a knife-point raid at a supermarket.

Vince Parmenter, 24, was given an extended sentence of six years, with a further two years on licence, after he robbed the Co-op, Station Road, South Darenth, in December last year.

He will have to serve four years in custody before he is considered for parole.

Parmenter entered the store on December 28, with three others and threatened staff with a knife. Cash and cigarettes were stolen during the raid.

The four-strong gang threatened the employee at the Co-op The Mills Industrial Estate at about 8.15pm.

At the time, Aimi McNeill, publicity manager for the Co-op, said: “Fortunately no colleagues or customers were harmed.

“The Co-op takes retail crime very seriously and implements a range of measures to both deter criminal activity and to aid convictions."

Police identified Parmenter as the robber after forensic tests found his finger prints on a plastic carrier bag inside the store, and a packet of cigarettes discarded outside.

Parmenter, of Pynham Close, Abbey Wood, was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday.

He was also given concurrent sentences for other offences including having a blade and assault on police.

Detective Sergeant Tom Daveney said: ‘Parmenter was part of a group who were all carrying knives and who subjected both staff and customers to a terrifying ordeal.

"Thankfully, we have been able to ensure he has now faced justice and can no longer pose a threat to people in the local community.

"I would like to assure residents that our investigation to locate the outstanding suspects also remains ongoing and would urge anyone with information to contact Kent Police as soon as possible.’

If you can help, call 01622 604100, quoting reference YY/039064/17. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555 111.