Two men from Southampton have been jailed after breaking into a supermarket while armed, with one of the men attempting to snatch a taser from a police officer in a bid to avoid being handcuffed.

Callum Knox, 38, of Avon Road, and Damian Smith, 44, of Bullar Road, were stopped by police as they tried to burgle a Morrisons store in New Ash Green in Kent on November 22.

The two men were both carrying weapons as they forced their way into the shop on The Row while wearing balaclavas.

Knox's attempted escape saw him try to snatch a taser as he charged at a constable with a crowbar.

Police rushed to the scene when an alarm was triggered at 1.40am, discovering a member of shop staff challenging the men.

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Smith surrendered and dropped his crowbar, laying on the floor to comply with police demands.

But Knox attempted to escape, and with a crowbar raised over his head, he ran towards a constable at an exit.

The 38-year-old was brought to the floor but continued to violently struggle to avoid being handcuffed, attempting to snatch a taser in the process.

Both men were detained and their getaway car was discovered after a key was found on the floor.

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Knox pleaded guilty to burglary and admitted two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

On February 13, he was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court to two years and one month in prison.

Smith pleaded guilty to burglary and breaching a previous suspended sentence, and jailed for two years and 10 months.

Chief Inspector Mark Stubberfield of Kent Police said: "Knox was determined to escape by any means but was tackled to the ground by our responding officers, whose tenacious bravery and professionalism ensured he was disarmed and that both men have ultimately now been brought to justice

"Cases like this are a stark reminder of the real risks our officers face in confronting danger and conflict.

"Importantly, they also illustrate our determination to protect the public from career criminals such as Knox and Smith, whose prolific offending can have a hugely detrimental impact on the communities and businesses they target."