A SUPERMARKET customer headbutted a security guard who had challenged him over suspected shoplifting, the city crown court heard.

Abdoulie Tamba had detained Stephen Moss after believing he had pocketed a bottle of spirits inside the Aldi store in Bevois Valley.

Prosecutor Jane Rowley said the guard stopped Moss as he went to leave. 

Moss showed he did not have the bottle but became aggressive, headbutting the guard and showering him with abusive language.

Moss, 31, of Brinton Road, admitted racially aggravated assault. 

He also pleaded guilty to stealing a £11 pregnancy test kit from Superdrug in Above Bar, failing to comply with the sex offenders’ register by not informing police of his new address and failing to surrender to bail.

Moss, who had also been committed for sentence for breaching two suspended sentences, was jailed for 22 months.

The court heard he had 32 previous convictions for more than 100 offences. In mitigation, Susan Ridge said he was fed up with being a criminal. 

“He feels he is getting too old for this and fears that having breached the suspended sentence he will not get another chance.”

Judge Peter Henry told Moss: “I couldn’t allow these orders to continue. You have a determination that you will only comply with them when it suits you and not otherwise.”