A HEROIN addict threatened to stab staff with a hypodermic needle when he was caught stealing vodka at Swansea's Asda store.

Lee Roger Owens brandished the weapon, shouting: "Do you want to get stabbed with a dirty needle?"

But the 19-year-old was arrested after staff at the Morriston shop bravely managed to overpower him in a struggle, a court heard.

The June 25 incident was described when Owens, of New Road, Gorseinon, was sent to a young offender institution for 14 months.

At Swansea Crown Court he pleaded guilt to a string of offences carried out to fund his chronic drug addition. He admitted burglary, affray, possessing an offensive weapon and eight thefts.

Francis Jones, said that between mid-May and mid-June this year Owens committed a number of shoplifting offences in Swansea, including helping himself to meat from Mac's Meat Market. On June 25 he was confronted after being seen stealing vodka from Asda.

But he was overpowered after producing a needle and syringe and threatening to stab staff.

The court also heard how, while on bail on August 22, Owens took keys and tobacco in a burglary at a house in Tyrisha Road, Grovesend, Gorseinon, then stole a £700 off-road motorbike. On August 29 he stole a purse containing £70 from a woman in Morriston after offering to help carry her shopping home, said Mr Jones.

Then, on September 11, he helped himself to another purse as a woman settled a bill at a travel agent's in High Street, Gorseinon.

John Hipkin, in mitigation, emphasised that his client's guilty pleas reflected genuine remorse for his conduct.

"His life went off completely off the rails by reason of his chronic heroin addiction," said the defence counsel.

"But his parents are pleased with the progress he has made since being remanded in custody and there is hope for the future."

Sentencing, Judge Keith Thomas said a custodial sentence was inevitable and he hoped Owens would steer clear of crime upon his eventual release from custody.

An Asda spokesman said: "We are incredibly proud of our heroic colleagues who bravely tackled this man in our Swansea store. They really did go above and beyond the call of duty."