A racist “menace” has been jailed after a four-month crime spree which included robbery and threatening residents with knives.

Mark Billingy left people in fear of violence in Herne Bay town centre during a number of incidents between May and August 2023.

The 47-year-old, formerly of St George's Terrace, Herne Bay, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on March 8 for his offences, which include possession of an imitation firearm, robbery, possession of an offensive weapon, theft and affray.

He was jailed for seven-and-a-half years and will serve an extended three years on licence following that term.

Billingy's first offences took place on May 23 last year when he threatened a member of staff at a shop in William Street which led to him being stopped by a local officer who found a knife in his possession.

Just two weeks later, on June 6, Billingy got into an argument with a motorist in Beech Street, proceeding to kick the man's car and waving a flick knife, putting the man and other drivers in fear.

Later that month, Billingy got into yet another argument – this time with a group of men in Central Parade, to whom he made racist comments.

He returned to the scene with a BB gun and knife, while continuing to make threats towards them.

Police attended and Billingy was arrested at his home and charged the following day.

While on court bail on August 20, Billingy attended a store in Herne Bay High Street to shoplift and made threats of violence to a member of staff who challenged him.

He was again arrested and charged with further offences the following day.

Sergeant Jonathan Sheehan, of the Canterbury district's Community Safety Unit, said: “Billingy was a persistent menace in Herne Bay town centre – carrying weapons and putting residents and shop workers in fear of violence.

“Kent Police takes knife crime extremely seriously and I am glad the number of charges we managed to bring in this case has led to a lengthy prison sentence.

“I hope the people of Herne Bay feel safer knowing that he is no longer on the streets.”

Investigations were carried out by East Kent CID and Canterbury's Victim Based Crime Team.