A robber who threatened a woman and then kissed her has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Sean Campion was found guilty by a jury of one count of robbery at Maidstone Crown Court.

The jury heard how at around 2.30pm on August, 28 the 53-year-old approached a woman as she was returning to her car in a car park in the Brook, Chatham.

He threatened her with a silver bladed object to threaten her and demanded she hand over cash.

Feeling intimidated, the victim gave Campion £10 and some change.

The robber then leered over and kissed her cheek.

Campion, of no fixed address, stalked her as the woman hurried to an open lift which was full of other shoppers.

He got into the lift and exited on the next level.

The victim contacted the centre’s CCTV operators and provided a description of Campion and he was detained by officers inside a shop.

He was found in possession of two pairs of scissors, a bottle opener and some change.

He was arrested on suspicion of robbery and subsequently charged with the offences.

Investigating officer PC Martin Taylor said: "This was a frightening incident for the victim and not only did Campion demand cash from the victim but he used a silver object, to scare her into handing it over.

"He put his victim through the ordeal of a trial and I’d like to commend her bravery in dealing with the case and also her quick thinking in reporting the incident which ultimately saw him being arrested minutes after the incident."