A man has admitted he was "out of order" after attacking a Tesco security guard with a machete.
Malcolm Lewis hit the worker in the eye with the "fearsome" weapon after he foiled his shoplifting attempts.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday that the 52-year-old entered the Tesco Express on King Street in Wallasey, Wirral, at around 10pm on November 26 last year. Joanne Cronshaw, prosecuting, described how he filled up a basket with various goods to the total value of £9.31.
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Lewis, of Norman Road in Seacombe, "asked a member of staff about an item" but then walked out of the shop without making any attempt to pay. A security guard followed him out of the premises and shouted for him to stop, be he instead ran away.
The employee gave chase, and the thief dropped his basket near to a pedestrian crossing before producing what was described as a "large meat cleaver or small machete" from under his clothing. Lewis raised the weapon above his head before striking down as the undeterred staff member tackled him.
The victim was hit in the eye, but thankfully only suffered a minor graze. He and a colleague restrained the shoplifter after a struggle before the police arrived and arrested him.
In a statement which was read out to the court on his behalf, the complainant said he had suffered from anxiety and depression since the incident and added: "No one has the right to assault me and make me feel this way. I deserve to go to work without being assaulted by a stranger."
Former welder Lewis has a total of 23 previous convictions for 44 offences, including receiving 32 months for possession of a firearm in 2010 and being handed 14 weeks for burglary in June last year. John Weate, defending, told the court: "He wishes, through me, to apologise to the court and the witnesses in this case.
"He accepts what he did was completely out of order and he understands that an immediate custodial sentence will follow. There are long periods in his life where there were no offences committed, in particular between 2010 and 2016.
"During this time, he was under care in hospital for lifelong post traumatic stress disorder and depression. Sadly, that came to an end due to austerity measures.
"Slowly but surely, his life deteriorated as a consequence. The defendant will take his punishment on the chin and make sure he doesn't put himself in this position again."
Dad-of-two Lewis, who appeared via video link to HMP Altcourse wearing a black Hugo Boss jumper, pleaded guilty to theft, making threats with an offensive weapon and assault. He was jailed for 20 months.
Sentencing, Judge Andrew Menary KC described the blade as a "fearsome looking item". The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool added: "This will have been a terrifying event, and it could have resulted in very serious injury."
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