A man who assaulted a security guard with a stolen bottle of vodka has been sentenced for robbery.
Michael Stanley entered a Morrisons store in Worthing and took the alcohol bottle without making any attempt to pay.
When he was challenged by a security guard, Stanley struck him with the bottle.
It left the victim with injuries including to his eye.
Stanley, of Glamis Road, Bognor, was arrested and charged with robbery.
He admitted the charge, and at Lewes Crown Court on July 20 he was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
The court also put him under a restraining order not to contact the victim which lasts for five years.
The incident happened on May 1, 2025 at the Morrisons store in Newland Road.
In an impact statement, the victim described how the robbery meant he was off work for a short period.
He feared his sight would be permanently impaired.
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Speaking after the case, Chief Inspector James Davidson said: "This was a shocking incident on a security guard who was simply doing his job.
"Violence and abuse should not be seen as ‘part of the job’ for retail workers.
"We take reports very seriously and violence and abuse will not be tolerated.
"We are determined to pursue prosecutions against offenders and will continue to work alongside retailers and partners to identify offenders.
"Stanley was identified and arrested.
"His behaviour was totally unacceptable, and he is now serving a custodial sentence.
"We continue to urge anyone impacted by business crime, shop theft and abuse to report incidents to the police."
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