Bognor Man Jailed After Robbing Worthing Supermarket And Assaulting Security Guard

A man who attacked a supermarket security guard with a stolen bottle of vodka has been jailed for more than two years.

Michael Stanley, 36, of Glamis Road, Bognor, admitted robbery following the violent incident at Morrisons in Newland Road, Worthing, on May 1, 2025.

Lewes Crown Court heard Stanley entered the store, picked up a bottle of vodka and attempted to leave without paying.

When confronted by a security guard, he struck the employee with the bottle, causing injuries including damage to the victim's eye.

In a victim impact statement, the security guard said the assault forced him to take time off work and left him fearing he may have suffered permanent damage to his eyesight.

Stanley was arrested and charged with robbery before pleading guilty.

At Lewes Crown Court on July 20, he was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.

He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim.

Following the sentencing, Chief Inspector James Davidson said:

"This was a shocking incident on a security guard who was simply doing his job.

"Violence and abuse should not be seen as 'part of the job' for retail workers. We take reports very seriously and violence and abuse will not be tolerated.

"We are determined to pursue prosecutions against offenders and will continue to work alongside retailers and partners to identify offenders.

"Stanley was identified and arrested. His behaviour was totally unacceptable, and he is now serving a custodial sentence.

"We continue to urge anyone impacted by business crime, shop theft and abuse to report incidents to the police."