A SUPERMARKET security guard had to undergo tests for Hepatitis B after being bitten on the thigh by a thief.

And drug addict Mark Morton, 31, also knocked out the tooth of a manager of the Nelson Morrisons in Pendle Street during the melee.

Morton had been caught "red handed" stealing a £10 bottle of Vodka and was trapped in the revolving doors by staff, Burnley magistrates were told.

Morton, of Fleet Street, Nelson, admitted two counts of common assault, theft and failing to surrender. He was bailed for a pre-sentence report, on condition he lives at his given address and does not go into Morrisons.

The bench told Morton the victims had been going about their lawful duties in public and had suffered mental anguish awaiting test results. They said they were not ruling out custody.

Morton had a criminal record, including serving three years for robbery and was on a community order and drugs rehabilitation at the time of his latest crime, David Hartley, prosecuting, said the security officer tried to stop the defendant and was bitten on the thigh.

He had to have injections for hepatitis B and tetanus and was given antibiotics, Mr Hartley said.

The manager was caught in the face by Morton swinging his head and not complying with staff. He chipped a tooth, said Mr Hartley.

After the case, a spokesman for the Morrisons store said such attacks were becoming more unusual.

He said: "I think they were both pretty shaken up by it all, but they still managed to hold him until the police got here.

"We obviously get shoplifters here a lot because of the nature of the business, but they usually just come quietly and follow us.

"Back in the day, when I first started, we used to get knives pulled on us and all sorts, but now people know we have CCTV everywhere most of them know there's no point fighting back.

"This kind of thing is really unusual now."

Glen Smith, defending, said Morton had had no money and accommodation difficulties. He said Morton had been confronted by several people in the revolving doors at Morrisons, would say they jumped on him and that he was being dragged across the floor.

He had been frightened and Morton would say he was being punched and "all for a £10 bottle of vodka", Mr Smith said.