A blackmailer who attempted to extort £10,000 from a supermarket by making a bomb threat is facing up to three years in jail.

David Williams, 49, had denied blackmail but changed his plea to guilty today after asking a judge for an indication of the possible sentence.

Bomb disposal experts were called to Morrisons, in Sutton Road, Maidstone, at noon on December 10 last year after a package made to look like a bomb was discovered in one of the aisles.

Hundreds of shoppers had to be evacuated and cars were cleared from the car park.

Sutton Road had to be closed for half-an-hour and police cordoned off the entrance to the supermarket. A controlled explosion was then carried out.

Williams, of Knaves Acre, Headcorn, entered the guilty plea at Maidstone Crown Court after Judge David Griffith-Jones QC indicated a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment.

Neil Guest, defending, said Williams, who was already subject to a community order with supervision, suffered from angina and recently had a stent placed in an artery close to his heart. He was also diabetic.

Mr Guest added Williams (pictured above right) had received threats.

Police cordoned off Morrisons in Maidstone after the bomb hoax

Sentence was adjourned until after June 10 for the preparation of a psychiatric report to determine whether or not there was any mental illness.

Granting conditional bail, the judge told Williams: "You should be under no illusions as to what the likely sentence will be."