a 36 year old shoplifter who had been addicted to heroin from the age of 14 accidentally assaulted a store security guard who challenged him over theft of meat, a court heard.
Lincoln magistrates court was told that an undercover female store detective spotted the man taking the goods worth £30 and hide them in a pushchair before paying for low value items at the till.
Paul Wood, prosecuting, said the woman challenged the defendant as he left but he threatened to head butt her.
“A uniformed security guard approached. As he tried to detain the defendant, the man pushed back with his elbow which hit the male security guard in the jaw,” Mr Wood said.
The court was told that the officer needed treatment for swelling and he said he felt unsettled after the incident.
The defendant from Gainsborough admitted theft and assault by being reckless on February 2 this year.
Lloyd Edwards, representing, said the man had got clean, he has a new life, and a new partner who is expecting his baby.
“He wanted to get a present for his two year-old child's birthday but he was embarrassed that he had no money. He was going to sell the meat to fund the present,” Mr Edwards said.
“He accepts it was a stupid way of thinking. He panicked when stopped and when the female store detective knocked the meat out of the push chair, he became angry, thrust his arm up, and hit the security guard behind him who he didn’t even know was there.”
Magistrates adjourned the case for reports to be prepared before sentencing on August 14 because of a lack of court time.