An Isle of Wight man, who went on an tobacco and wine shoplifting spree before putting a shop worker in hospital, has been sentenced by magistrates.

Perry Masters, of Cross Lane, Newport, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Friday, October 27, after previously pleading guilty to assault by beating and three counts of theft from a shop.

Liz Miller, prosecuting, said the 40-year-old committed three separate thefts in Ventnor on March 28.

Ms Miller told the court Masters stole two bottles of wine to the value of £15.50 from Co-op at 7am, a pouch of tobacco costing £18 from Tesco Express at 8.30am and two further bottles of wine on his second visit to Co-op later on at 8.45pm.

On his second visit to Co-op, Masters was confronted by a shop worker, who he proceeded to push aggressively to the ground, causing a deep cut to the back of the victim’s head, which required hospital treatment, said Ms Miller.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said his client had no money and was homeless at the time.

Mr Vincent described the assault as a ‘tug of war’ to remove the wine from Masters’ grip before he was ‘slammed to the ground’ by the victim’s colleague, with Masters remaining calm and asking the colleague, “Was that really necessary?”

CCTV footage played in court showed the incident outside the shop.

Magistrates handed Masters a 12-month community order, to include nine months of alcohol treatment and 20 rehabilitation days.

Masters must also pay £500 compensation to his victim and £33.50 to Co-op and Tesco for the stolen items.