A HEROIN addict 'out of his head' on a cocktail of drugs swung a claw hammer towards a security guard's head in a busy city-centre street, a court heard.

Plymouth magistrates heard that Anthony Stewart, aged 24, threatened to kill the man before throwing away the weapon.

Stewart, of Albert Road, Stoke, was jailed for 14 weeks.

He admitted two thefts from branches of Co-op of goods worth £76.44 on April 28 and £14.66 on May 18.

Stewart also admitted having a small amount of heroin on November 17 and threatening behaviour on November 25.

Lucy Guy, prosecuting, said the security guard tried to remove Stewart from the Tesco store in New George Street at about 6pm. She added that Stewart was banned from the store and the security guard noticed he was under the influence of drink or drugs.

Miss Guy said the guard took him by the shoulder and an elbow and led him towards the door, whereupon Stewart swore and shouted: "I will kill you; you are dead."

Miss Guy said that Stewart did leave the store and then pulled a claw hammer from his jacket.

"Stewart came walking towards the security guard swinging the hammer towards his head," she said.

The court heard that the man radioed for help and Stewart threw the hammer away indiscriminately, even though there were people in the street.

Miss Guy said the security guard and his colleagues managed to overpower Stewart in the street.

Stephen Walker, for Stewart, said: "He has no recollection of making threats to kill. He was clearly out of his head.

"He was not in control of his mouth nor his body nor his actions."

He added that he had been battling with a heroin addiction but on that occasion had taken a 'nightmare' combination of Valium and alcohol which had produced 'bizarre results.'

Mr Walker said that Stewart had previous convictions, but none of them was for violence.