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Jail for shoplifter who bit Wednesbury Morrisons security guard

A shoplifter who bit a security guard who detained him for stealing spirits has been jailed.

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The security officer at Morrisons supermarket in Wednesbury was left needing hospital treatment after he was attacked by Ian Daley.

Daley, aged 31, of Pembroke Road, West Bromwich, was jailed for a total of 40 weeks after pleading guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and the theft of two bottles of spirits.

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told that a security guard had to be given injections for Hepatitis B and tetanus following the incident.

Daley also admitted being in breach of a community order imposed by Birmingham Crown Court in February this year, for shoplifting and the possession of a knife.

Mr Bernard Linneman, prosecuting, said on April 10 Daley went to the Morrisons store in Wednesbury, where he was spotted taking a number of bottles of spirits from the shelves.

"He was approached by a member of staff and he put several bottles back on the shelves, and then left the store," said Mr Linneman.

"He was followed by the staff, including the security guard, to the bus station where they detained him.

"There was a struggle and the defendant bit the security guard on the left forearm, breaking his skin.

"It took three men to hold him down."

Mr Linneman added that Daley had been made the subject of two previous community orders in December 2013 and January 2014.

Mr Robert Cowley, for Daley, said his client had been in custody since the time of the offence, during which time he had made great strides in tackling his drug problem.

He had spent time in the detox unit at HMP Hewell, said Mr Cowley, where he was initially prescribed methadone.

"He has been methadone-free since Tuesday last week," he added.

Recorder Mr Derek Chinnery told Daley: "The only realistic sentence I can impose is one of custody."

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