A 30-YEAR-OLD man threatened a supermarket security worker at knife point to steal £35 of ham and whiskey.

James Cheetham, of Wilderspool Causeway, entered the Tesco Extra store, on Winwick Road, where he helped himself to the packet of ham and a one-litre bottle of whiskey.

The incident happened at around 2.15am on Wednesday, March 21. He threatened security staff with a 4-inch steak knife, before escaping to a nearby hostel where he was later arrested.

The knife and bottle of whiskey were both never recovered following Cheetham's arrest.

The 30-year-old appeared at Liverpool Crown Court, on Thursday, after pleading to guilty to counts of possession of a knife and theft.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, explained how security staff were going about their normal duties when Cheetham entered the 24-hour supermarket.

He said: "Mr Cheetham can be seen to go into the store from the CCTV.

"He takes the £32, one-litre bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey with no intention to pay."

Mr Taylor explained how when challenged in the foyer by security staff, Colin Robinson and Tony Bennett, he handed over the ham but not the whiskey.

When the two men proceeded to block Cheetham from exiting the Tesco Extra, he produced a kitchen knife from his left sleeve, shouting 'get back or I will stab you'.

The court heard how 'not unsurprisingly' the victims backed away, giving Cheetham chance to escape to James Lee House, on Brick Street.

In an initial interview after his arrest, Cheetham is said to have given a no comment statement except to admit to drug usage.

He said he had no recollection of the incident but told Police: "My head is up my a*** at the minute."

Jill Gordon, defending, said Cheetham currently considers prison to be the 'best place for him'.

She said: "He has suffered from a chaotic lifestyle, homelessness and dealt with drug addiction.

"He is willing to engage with the services available to him and knows he needs to make substantial changes.

"He knows if he continues coming back here, he will face longer sentences."

Miss Gordon explained that Cheetham is 'aware of the serious nature of the offences' and apologises to the victims involved.

She asked Judge Michael Woodhall to consider that this is his first dealing with a knife-related offence, and asked for full credit in that he entered a guilty plea at the first opportunity.

Judge Michael Woodhall said although Cheetham 'expressed remorse' through his barrister, he has an 'unhappy record' of previous convictions and custodial sentences.

He said: "You have established a pattern of drink and drug infused criminal activity and committed an offence so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified."

Cheetham was handed 16 months in prison for both offences.