A SHOPLIFTER threatened to stab shoppers with a knife after he was stopped for trying to steal wine from a Southampton shop.

William Hunt, 41, made the shocking threats to staff after he was caught attempting to steal from Sainsbury's in Bedford Place.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Hunt, of no fixed abode, had picked up a bottle of wine and tried to leave with it.

When he was stopped, staff told him he was banned from the shop.

Despite this, Hunt turned up later that day, picking up another six bottles of alcohol.

When staff approached him, he told them he was carrying a knife and threatened to stab people in the store. Multiple shoppers were inside at the time.

READ MORE: Southampton thug repeatedly punched good Samaritan in the face 

Hunt also tried to grab the staff member's body-worn camera to put it down his trousers, the court heard.

When police arrived, Hunt ran out into the road, smashing a bottle as he left the store.

After a short chase, he was stopped and arrested.

Despite the threats he made, no knife was ever produced.

Prosecuting, Keely Harvey said Hunt had caused “distress” to multiple people.

Following the incident on August 25 last year, Hunt went on to commit other offences.

These include stealing from a van on Queensway, a burglary and an attempted burglary.

On Christmas Eve, he was caught shoplifting again at Co-Op in Shirley High Street.

On this occasion, he was stopped attempting to put alcohol into a bag at which point he fell to the ground and wrapped his legs around a bike stand so he could not be apprehended.

He then bit the shop worker on the kneecap before finally being arrested.

READ MORE: Hampshire man cries as he's jailed for throwing cat down stairs

Speaking at his sentencing on Friday, Simon Walters, mitigating, said his client had been in custody since January 16 and, at the time of the offences, he had been suffering with his mental health.

He said there was a “strong inference on the evidence that not only was Mr Hunt suffering from declining mental health, but he was also using controlled drugs”.

Mr Walters added that his client's life had taken a “real downward turn” when his relationship broke down and he “spiralled”.

Hunt was convicted of burglary, attempted burglary, three counts of theft, battery and a public order offence.

The 41-year-old, who has two previous offences, was jailed for 19 months.

Once he's released, he will have nowhere to live.

Judge Brian Forster KC said: “You are capable of much better. I hope that you have some luck.”