A prolific shoplifter not long released from prison after stealing Cherry Bakewell tarts and other cakes from a Co-op is back behind bars again for throwing a rock at a police station.

Joseph Clark admitted attempting to damage the windows to the building in Central Avenue, Sittingbourne.

The incident happened last Friday (September 6) and he was arrested shortly afterwards.

Clarke, of Dickson Court, Sittingbourne, was charged with attempted criminal damage along with breaching a conditional discharge.

The latter related to a similar incident on Saturday, August 17 when he damaged a window at the same location.

It comes just months after Clarke’s last court appearance in June where he was jailed for three separate raids on the Co-op in Church Road, Murston, near Sittingbourne.

On that occasion Medway Magistrates’ Court heard how the prolific thief, who had admitted to being a drug user, had pinched 12 boxes of country slices worth £22.80 on June 7.

The following day he returned and pilfered £24 of Cherry Bakewells.

Later the same day he stole 12 boxes of macaroons worth £18.

The 51-year-old appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Monday (September 9) where he was was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison for his latest offence.