A VIOLENT shoplifter, who lived in a tent in Petersfield, stole children's toys and threatened to "blade" shop staff in a summer crime spree, a court heard on Monday. At night, Ashley Mills, 20, dossed behind a council recycling tip on Bedford Road. But by day, he caused mayhem in Petersfield shops and supermarkets, head-butting staff, threatening to stab security guards and making off with hundreds of pounds worth of goods. Aldershot Magistrates' Court was told how, throughout August, Mills terrorised shop workers and committed a series of offences, including assault and resisting arrest. At different times this summer, it was revealed, he shoplifted at Woolworths in Petersfield, punched a member of staff and threw a bin through the front door at Tesco on The Causeway, vowing to "kill" the shop worker who tried to stop him. When he was eventually arrested in Petersfield on August 18, it had taken a police aeroplane and a full ground search to track him down. Prosecuting, Ghislaine Watson-Hopkinson said that, at one point, Mills had tried to wheel loaded supermarket trolleys out of the Asda store near Waterlooville, before threatening to stab a security guard. She told the court: "When the security guard grabbed his wrist, Mills told him 'if you don't let go, I'll smash your face in'. "He then went out into the car park and, when he was approached again, he held his car keys in his hands and threatened to stab him." In central Petersfield, she said, Mills frequently attempted to steal designer "Bratz" dolls from Woolworths, using abusive language when he was approached. And in one confrontation, he even threatened to produce a knife from his bag with which to "blade" a member of staff. Robert Emuss, defending, said Mills was stealing in order to raise cash to survive. He added that the defendant had lived in foster care when he was younger, but had been without fixed abode for three or four years. He said: "What we haven't been told is that the defendant was living in a tent behind a council tip in Petersfield and was trying to raise money. "All of the toys were children's toys that were saleable. "He was funding a survival situation by stealing from stores. "You feel that it is for him to sort out his life rather than somebody else. He is still a young man, a physically fit young man, and could contribute to society. But let's just hope that he does not become institutionalised. "He does not appear to have a drug problem. He probably drinks like any young man his age would." Summing up, Magistrate Helen Jermy said Mills had acted with "extreme and unacceptable behaviour". "When you were in Woolworths, you raised your fist and threatened to 'blade' the manager," she told the court. "We have noted that there is a pattern of persistent offending, which is aggravated by your behaviour." She added that a custodial sentence would be inevitable and that previous attempts to rehabilitate him through work in the community had failed. Mills was sentenced to 208 days imprisonment in a young offenders' institute, but was spared a fine or compensation payment on account of his financial situation.

Ashley Mills' crime spree

August 4: Entered Woolworths on Petersfield High Street and attempted to steal three Bratz dolls before he was apprehended. He later re-entered Woolworths to steal a bouncy castle worth £129.99

August 7: Attempted to leave Asda supermarket in Leigh Park with two loaded shopping trolleys. Threatened to "stab" security staff with his car keys before running off.

August 10: Punched and head-butted a staff member in Woolworths after he was spotted trying to steal yet more dolls. Held his hand in his bag pretending to carry a knife and claimed he would "blade" the member of staff. Apprehended by police after a search of the area.

August 17: Threatened to "kill" a member of staff at the Tesco supermarket on The Causeway when he was caught stealing a sandwich. Left the shop and launched a metal bin into the store aimed at the staff.

August 18: Pc Mark Baker recognised Mills while on duty in Rams Walk shopping centre and attempted to arrest him. After a struggle outside Robert Dyas, Mills again escaped. He was later spotted in the High Street, having changed his clothes. A search was launched and a police aeroplane called in to help track him down. He was eventually arrested later that day.