A SERIAL offender has been given a minimum three-year prison sentence after being branded a danger to the community.

Tom Howard, 25, beat up a shop manager who had confronted him and an accomplice over the theft of a can of lager from his premises.

Southampton Crown Court heard that Howard had 29 previous convictions, encompassing more than 140 offences.

His latest brush with the law came when he fled the Co-Op store in Chandler's Ford after Daniel Dyke ran off with the drink.

Manager Gary Carr pursued them and seized the alcohol, but when he tried to return to the shop, he found his way blocked by the pair, along with a third man.

Howard then went to the boot of his car, from which he produced a large piece of wood and repeatedly struck Mr Carr on the arms and legs.

Prosecutor Christopher Wing said Mr Carr then gave the men back the alcohol and they drove off with it.

Howard, of Poplar Road, Southampton, was convicted of robbery and theft and admitted driving while banned.

Judge Derwin Hope said he had no doubt Howard was the ringleader and he presented a significant risk of causing serious harm to the public.

He told Howard he must serve three years before his case would be heard by the parole board.

He also disqualified him from driving for five years.

Dyke, 22, of Cobbett Court, Bitterne, Southampton, admitted robbery and theft and received a 12-month suspended sentence, coupled with 12 months' supervision and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

He claimed Howard had bullied him into his actions.