A MAN who admitted stealing a supermarket uniform before smashing bottles and assaulting two people was warned he could face jail.

Stuart Nicholson, 38, entered Tesco Extra in Cowley Road, Oxford, at 7pm on Tuesday, filling a basket with goods, Oxford magistrates heard yesterday. He then went into a cleaning cupboard and came out dressed in a purple fleece and the blue trousers of a cleaner, magistrates heard.

Christopher Canning, prosecuting, said Nicholson was thrown out of the store but his basket was found in the cupboard with food items half eaten.

Nicholson returned and was approached by staff. Mr Canning said: “He became aggressive and shouted: ‘I work here’.”

When confronted by staff member Abdeeq Hussein, Nicholson pushed him, causing him to fall into a drinks stand, the prosecution said.

Mr Canning said Nicholson smashed bottles, drank tequila and hurled a bottle of whisky at the exit door, causing it to shatter. Customer Jamie Brooks told him to stop but had four bottles thrown at him, two striking his arm, the court heard.

Nicholson, of Nursery Close, pleaded guilty to theft of property, using insulting words or behaviour, assault by beating and criminal damage.

Deferring sentence to August 13, deputy district judge Nigel Hodkinson remanded him in custody. He said: “I do not guarantee you won’t be sent to prison.”