A SHOP lifter who attacked a supermarket security guard was given a three-month suspended jail sentence this week, and ordered to pay £100 compensation to his victim. Luke Howe had just been challenged for walking out of the Tesco store in Wisbech with a

A SHOP lifter who attacked a supermarket security guard was given a three-month suspended jail sentence this week, and ordered to pay £100 compensation to his victim.

Luke Howe had just been challenged for walking out of the Tesco store in Wisbech with a stolen bottle of wine and a whisky gift set, when he turned on security officer Raymond Woods.

"He had been seen trying to pull security tags of alcohol with his hands and his teeth," prosecutor Scheherazade Haque told Fenland magistrates today.

"He was confronted outside by Mr Woods. He put the officer into a headlock, and started punching him in the face. Mr Woods was taken to hospital by paramedics; he had a cut to his right eye, and a sore head."

Last month, 23-year-old Howe, of Cordon Street, Wisbech, admitted assault and stealing a bottle of wine and a Jack Daniels gift set, worth a total of £21.43.

Solicitor Neil Meachem said: "He has now sorted out his benefits, so he has no need to steal."

The court suspended Howe's jail sentence for 18 months, and ordered him to carry out 100 hours unpaid work. As well as paying compensation to Mr Woods, he must pay £60 costs.