A VIOLENT shoplifter sprayed vinegar over a store detective claiming it was acid as he tried to get away, a court has heard.

Paul Simmons. who also uses the name, Alexis Powell, launched the terrifying attack after he was detained in TK Maxx the day after he was released on bail by a judge.

And as his victim struggled to see through the acid the shop worker feared he would never be able to see his children again having heard about similar attacks.

Now the 39-year-old has been jailed for 18 months but he may be locked up for longer as he has been recalled to serve an earlier sentence which ends in 2022.

Charles Gabb, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court Simmons was already on bail for theft when he was spotted stealing at the designer discount store.

He said after selecting a number of items to pinch he scoured the store to find wire cutters so he could remove the security tags.

As he tried to leave with two pairs of shoes on July 27 two staff members moved in to detain him, Mr Gabb said.

Simmons was taken to an office to wait for the police to arrive and became agitated saying he would be 'locked up'.

Mr Gabb said he delved into his bag and produced a bottle of vinegar, blinding one man by throwing it into his eyes and claiming it was acid.

"In light of what has happened recently in the public domain the victim said he was terrified acid was thrown at him," he said.

Simmons continued to try and escape and kneed the other man in the side as he tried to break free, damaging door fixtures during the struggle.

The court heard that the day before he had appeared before a judge where he was released on bail having been convicted of theft and having a bladed article.

On that occasion the defendant had gone to Foot Asylum and used a set of wire cutters he had to remove tags from clothes he took to a changing room.

After leaving the store with the items he was confronted and accused staff of targeting him because of his past, insisting he had done nothing wrong.

By the time the police arrived he was found with the cutters in a front pocket and a lock knife in his back pocket.

Simmons, of Courtenay Road, Walcot, pleaded guilty to two thefts, causing actual bodily harm, common assault, possessing a bladed article and an offensive weapon.

The court heard he had numerous previous convictions and in 2012 was jailed for five years and three months with an extended licence of four years.

He also got a 10-year sentence in 2004 for robbery, attempted robbery, kidnap and firearms offences.

Richard Williams, defending, said his client had been recalled under the last sentence and had a release date in February 2022.

He said that after being freed in 2015 he had been doing well with probation but there was no alternative but to impose a jail term.

The vinegar was used for cutting the drugs he was taking, he said, and he denied claiming it was acid during the attack.

Jailing him Judge Robert Pawson said: "There has been very wide coverage, as you know and everyone knows, about the use of various substances, in particular acid, by criminals.

"You took the bottle of vinegar you had, it may be for drug use, and you threw it on to this man. He was temporarily blinded. He feared he was never going to see his children again."