A MAN launched a brutal and 'petrifying' attack on two women at a shoe store in front of his partner's children after he was denied a discount on his shoes.

Sonny Lindo, 32, was at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday where he was jailed for two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on two shop assistants at the JD Sports at Templars Square shopping centre.

The offence took place on August 10, 2015, when Lindo, of Walton Well Road in Jericho, entered the store to purchase footwear with his partner and her two children.

He demanded a discount on shoes he had picked out, arguing they were ex-display, and when he was denied he then insisted they were damaged, but was again refused a discount.

It was then that he launched into a rage and began shouting at one member of staff, Emma Wilcox, before spitting first at her, missing and hitting another colleague, Sophie Tolley, instead.

Prosecuting Gabrielle Heaney said: "He was asked to leave and he spat again and this time it landed on Emma Wilcox's right shoulder.

"He kept trying to throw punches and managed to make contact on her face.

"He then used her hair and dragged her to the back of the store. She was at this point petrified."

The court heard how he then performed a flying kick on her with such force she was hurled into a display before he exited the store and drove away.

As a result of the ordeal Miss Wilcox suffered a cut to her head and blood blisters on her hair consistent with being pulled sharply.

Sophie Tolley suffered a fracture and had to wear a sling afterwards for injuries sustained during the attack.

Lindo had 37 previous convictions already - six of which were for violent offences.

He failed to turn up to his original hearing in November for the charges, being found guilty in his absence.

Defending, Sabrina Farhan, said: "He is very remorseful and would like to apologise to the complainants in this case.

“He is someone that has some mental health difficulties, he was diagnosed with a personality disorder and depression.”

She told the court how on the day of the attack it was the anniversary of his son's death, who had passed away aged five, and he was suffering from depression as a result.

Sentencing Lindo, Judge Lamb called him ‘petulant, obnoxious and bullying’ and said: “It was of a particularly disgusting nature starting as it was by spitting.”

He was jailed for a total of 15 months for the two counts of assault and for not attending court for the original proceedings, together with an unspecified victim surcharge.