A DRUG addict who lunged at a PCSO while brandishing a blood-stained hypodermic needle has been jailed.

Mark McDonagh, who has a history of similar offences, had been in the New Milton branch of Morrisons on June 30 when he was suspected of shoplifting.

A PCSO shopping in the same store overheard and produced his warrant card, but the defendant, 34, refused to wait for officers to arrive and left.

The PCSO and a member of staff followed McDonagh, asking him to wait for police.

Prosecuting the case at Bournemouth Crown Court, Stuart Ellacott said: "At one point [McDonagh] turned around with his hand in his pocket and said, 'Don't even do it.'"

He then "lunged" at the two men with the needle "extended in a stabbing motion" and shouted: "I will ******* stab you."

Officers who arrested the defendant shortly afterwards found more needles in his rucksack.

McDonagh, of Kimberley Road in Southbourne, has convictions for two similar offences, Mr Ellacott said.

On September 2 last year, he was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and threatening a member of staff with a needle, the court heard.

Mitigating, Victoria Hill said McDonagh's drug addiction has been a "significant factor" in his offending.

"He has entrenched drug problems dating back to when he was 19," she said.

"Sometimes with people who come into contact with the criminal justice system, they reach an age where they are too old and too tired to be in the revolving door situation he finds himself in."

McDonagh volunteered as a scaffolder when he was last released from prison as part of a bid to find employment, Ms Hill said.

The defendant admitted threatening another with an article with a blade or point during an earlier hearing.

Recorder Gordon Bebb QC sentenced McDonagh to 12 months behind bars.

The needles will also be destroyed.