A THUG headbutted a man in the face as he fled from security guards at a supermarket.

Prolific thief and shoplifter Peter Marsh was out of prison on licence when he attacked Kyran Johnson.

He was fleeing from security guards inside the Sainsbury’s store in New England Street when Mr Johnson, a supermarket worker, tried to intervene.

Marsh butted Mr Johnson, causing him to lose his front teeth in the “nasty” attack.

At Hove Crown Court it was also revealed that Marsh had smashed his way into the Little Gems jewellery shop in The Lanes with an accomplice.

He stole as much as £8,000 worth of goods in the heist, but was identified because his blood was found on a smashed window at the scene.

The shop owner Penny McCullough said the crime had left her feeling “sick” and “scared to go to work”, and said the cost was “huge”.

In the hearing Marsh, of Woburn Place, Brighton, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and burglary.

The Argus:

Read more on this defendant: Brighton thief Peter Marsh finally jailed after more than 100 offences

But Judge Martin Huseyin spared him an immediate prison spell because Marsh has taken steps to clean up his life since the incidents in October and December.

Jonathan Atkinson prosecuting, revealed Marsh has 51 previous convictions for 127 previous offences, most of which are thefts or burglaries.

Last year The Argus reported how Judge Christine Laing QC felt Marsh had reached the end of the line after committing offences on suspended sentence.

The court heard how his previous convictions list was “turning into a novel” because he has committed so many offences.

As she jailed him for one year last August she told him: “The public would think I need help if the suspended sentence were not imposed.”

The Argus:

Read more about this defendant: Thief Peter Marsh stole from police car in Brighton (from 2010)

In that hearing it was revealed that Marsh suffers from Tourette syndrome and took medication for being psychotic.

But since the latest offences, he has found himself secure lodgings, and is volunteering for five days each week.

Judge Huseyin said a great deal of money has been spent on Marsh by public authorities to turn his life around, and said Marsh has also made great efforts himself.

The judge said: “On balance, I can just suspend the sentence.”

Marsh was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to complete six months of drug dependency treatment.

He must also complete 25 rehabilitation sessions and pay £400 in compensation to Mr Johnson.

The judge said given Marsh’s limited means, he would not order the thief to pay compensation for the burglary.

Marsh was told: “If you breach this order by not complying with those conditions or you commit a further offence, it is inevitable that your suspended sentence will be activated.”