A SHOPLIFTER who was caught and then threatened a security guard with a syringe saying that he was HIV positive, was jailed for almost four years yesterday.

Security guard Andrew Clark at the HMV store in Darlington ignored the threat and detained heroin addict Ian Jarvis, 26, who had stolen two DVDs, said Gavin Gaston, prosecuting.

Jarvis claimed that he only intended to frighten Mr Clark so that he could escape, said Rod Hunt, defending.

But Judge John Walford told Jarvis at Teesside Crown Court: "Anyone who uses a syringe and issues a threat when holding it commits an ugly offence for which there can only be a deterrent sentence."

Jarvis also stole keys from the jacket of Bishop Auckland car dealer John Norton at his office and used them to steal jewellery and ornaments worth £1,880, which were all later recovered by police.

Jarvis, of Abbey road, Bishop Auckland, was jailed for three years and nine months plus another 77-days left from his last sentence, after he pleaded guilty to shoplifting and affray on February 6 and to the house burglary in Princess Street, Bishop Auckland, a week later.