Vodka thief pulled knife on Great Bridge supermarket workers

Ukraine-born Edgaras Miklis was already on bail accused of two burglaries and a host of shoplifting offences when he struck at Asda in Great Bridge, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The CCTV operator at the shop saw the 30-year-old acting suspiciously and got the cameras to follow him round the aisles, said Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting. Miklis picked up two bottles of vodka which he hid in his trousers before being stopped by a security guard after walking out of the Asda branch without paying, the court heard.

He was taken to a room where he produced a Stanley knife and threatened to 'cut up' members of the staff who were there, continued Mr Searle who added: "There was a struggle in the small room during which he was hit with one of the bottles he had been trying to steal."

Miklis from Dudley Street, West Bromwich told the court: "I was on drugs when all this happened. I need help to stop taking drugs."

He pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of vodka worth £17, possession of a Stanley knife and threatening behaviour in the store at Brickhouse Lane, South, Great Bridge on April 4.

Miklis also admitted two thefts from shops, two burglaries and asked for four other thefts from shops to be taken into consideration. All these offences were committed between November and February 12.

Judge Martin Walsh told him: "You have got a terrible record and fall to be sentenced for a large number of offences of dishonesty. All are largely due to your drug addiction and until that is dealt with you are likely to continue to offend."

He adjourned the case for a week for discussions on intensive drug treatment therapy. Miklis was remanded in custody.