A MAN launched an unprovoked attack on a carer after he was unable to find the right medication for his daughter.

Raymond Clarke punched Stephen Thistle while he was out shopping in the Cobden Avenue branch of Tesco Express.

The 34-year-old hit Mr Thistle, a carer, who was trying to calm him down when he couldn’t locate the medicine.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that Clarke went into the shop and asked a cashier where to find the formula.

However, he grew aggressive before he launched his assault on Mr Thistle.

Prosecuting, Charles Nightingale said: “Clarke approached the desk of the pharmacy within the shop and then returned to speak to the same person again but appeared unhappy about the service he got.

“He moves away from the county and it seems he becomes irritable.

“Another staff member was unable to help him and his rising voice attracts a member of the public’s attention.”

He told the court that Mr Thistle tried to calm Clarke but he punched the victim in the face.

Mr Nightingale said: “Clarke had hold of Mr Thistle and the two fell to the floor.

“Staff had to pull them apart and Mr Thistle to safety. The defendant then walks away making threats to Mr Thistle that he knows what he looks like.”

He added: “It was a tense situation and Mr Thistle acted like any right minded citizen would do and the thanks he gets is a hit in the face.”

The incident left Mr Thistle with a swollen lip and bruises to his left eye.

The court heard that Clarke had seen a press release issued by Hampshire Constabulary in which CCTV captured from the event in on July 19 was attached.

When he saw this he handed himself into the police.

Clarke was due to stand trial for the assault by beating charge but on the day of proceedings, changed his plea to guilty.

Joseph Darios, mitigating, told the court that Clarke had shared two bottles of wine before he went to the shop. He said Clarke, who hopes to take on a carpet fitting course, had not touched a drop since the incident.

Mr Darios added: “This member of the public was doing what anyone would want them to do.

“Clarke has shown his remorse and regrets that this incident ever happened.”

Clarke, of Croydon Close, Lordshill, was given a 12 month community order. He will pay £100 compensation to the victim.