An armed robber who held terrified pharmacy staff at gunpoint has been jailed for 12 years.

Simon Wightman walked into Cheadles Chemist in Seasalter, near Whitstable, and ordered employees to drop to the floor.

He then swiped prescription drugs before fleeing the scene in a silver VW Golf on the morning of December 5.

Officers attended and a witness gave a partial registration number of the vehicle.

A police helicopter and armed officers scoured Herne Bay following the incident.

Quick searches identified a car owned by Wightman as a suspect vehicle and he was subsequently arrested.

His home in Boughton-under-Blean and place of work in Herne Bay were searched.

At his home, officers found the stolen medication, clothes matching those he was wearing during the offence, a shortened shotgun, a 9mm pistol, and ammunition for that pistol.

Wightman was charged with robbery, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of an altered firearm and possession of ammunition without authority.

The 52-year-old, of St Paul's Crescent, Boughton, pleaded guilty to possessing the prohibited weapon and ammunition, but denied the other charges.

Following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court, he was found guilty of robbery, possession of an altered firearm, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery.

He was jailed for 12 years on Friday.

Investigating officer Det Con Rebecca Keeler said: “This robbery was terrifying for the staff and those present in the chemist at the time.

“A rapid response on the day of the incident saw Wightman quickly identified as a suspect and arrested, as well as the removal of all firearms from his possession.

“I hope the sentence now imposed sends out a message about how serious offences of this kind are taken by Kent Police and the courts.”