A SHOPLIFTER caught by security staff in a supermarket threatened to cut the manager's heart out.

Richard McDermott, a heroin addict, claimed he only had six months to live. A month later he was stopped by police as he carried needles from a syringe in his waistband.

He warned one officer: "I'll take great pleasure sticking a needle through your heart. I will really enjoy watching you die," said Nigel Stelling, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.

McDermott, 22, of The Mallards, Severnside South, Bewdley, was jailed for three years.

He admitted threatening behaviour, affray, theft and failing to surrender to bail.

Recorder Michael Morse said his "gross and frightening" threats were against people carrying out their normal jobs.

The defendant grabbed goods worth £7.67 in the Kidderminster branch of Tesco on July 28 last year before being arrested.

He threatened to return to kill a member of staff and warned the manager: "I'll cut your heart out. I'll do life for you. I don't care, I've only got six months to live."

While out on bail, McDermott stole from Boots and Sainsbury's in Kidderminster and also grabbed three charity boxes from a store in Hurcott Road.

He stayed one night at the home of a former girlfriend and stole her child benefit book, withdrawing £83.60 before it was cancelled.

The affray involved an attack in the early hours on Christopher Humphries after he had been drinking.

Geoffrey Clough, defending, said McDermott was introduced to heroin at the age of 14 by his father. When he made the threats he was high on drugs and not thinking straight.

He accepted that his words were "outrageous and very frightening" but said he now had a chance in jail to overcome his addiction.