A SHOPLIFTER produced a knuckleduster when challenged by store security guards, a court was told.

Gary Littlefair was approached as he left the Tesco Extra store in Bishop Auckland without paying for packs of razor blades.

He was asked to accompany two guards back into the store, but denied doing anything wrong and tried running away, colliding with a customer as he fled.

Durham Crown Court heard that he tried to fend off the pursuers, flinging his arms round holding the knuckleduster, but he was forced to release it and taken to the ground by the guards, assisted by a member of the public.

Ian Mullarkey, prosecuting, told the court that Littlefair was detained, but made threats to the guards.

When police arrived he continued to struggle, trying to bite a community support officer and was still shouting as he was handcuffed.

Mr Mullarkey said the razor blades, valued at £147.91, were recovered and one of the security guards suffered minor injuries in his attempts to restrain Littlefair.

When interviewed later he said he carried the knuckleduster due to problems he was having with other people, and claimed he only produced it to frighten off the guards, not intending to use it, added Mr Mullarkey.

The court heard his criminal record includes 28 convictions for theft and “similar offences”.

Rachael Landin, mitigating, said his record is linked with his heroin addiction, having “dabbled with drugs” for more than half his life.

But he has tried to rid himself of his addiction, going on a methadone programme to substitute for heroin, but “topping it up” by taking the drug as well.

He went to the store to try to take goods to sell to raise funds to buy drugs and “panicked” when challenged by the guards.

She added that he does not usually carry weapons, but was having “difficulties with others” at the time.

Littlefair, 31, of Gibbon Street, Bishop Auckland, admitted possessing an offensive weapon and theft.

Jailing him for ten months, Recorder Jonathan Bennett told him that “those working in isolated positions” should be offered protection by the courts.