Jail for topless South Tyneside shoplifter who attacked a security guard during thieving spree
Magistrates told attacker had 222 offences on his criminal record.
A serial criminal attacked a security guard during a spate of shop thefts.
Freddie Newman, who has 222 offences on his record, stole £407 worth of alcohol, meat, cleaning products and food from Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons and Asda stores in South Shields, South Tyneside in June.
Newcastle Crown Court heard during one of the thefts, which all happened last June, Newman, who was topless, assaulted a security guard while trying to leave with a bag of items he had not paid for.
Prosecutor Jasmine Dodd told the court: "As the defendant made to leave the shop the security guard attempted to prevent him from leaving and as he reached the doorway became involved in a physical tussle with the guard and pushed him away.
"He hit the security guard with the bag and there was some pushing and shoving."
Newman, 36, of Lawson Avenue, Jarrow, admitted five charges of theft and one of assault by beating.
The court heard his criminal record includes 88 thefts and similar offences and eight offences against the person.
Newman, who has been in custody since September, has been recalled to prison to continue serving an earlier jail term and is now not due for release until next June.
Recorder Jamie Hill KC today sentenced him to four months behind bars, which will not affect his expected release date.
The court heard Newman has a traumatic background and has used drugs and alcohol to cope, which has led to offending.